What can you do with a Computer Engineering degree from Purdue University?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Engineering graduates from Purdue University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 34 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Computer Engineering graduates from Purdue University have a much higher likelihood (+19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 86%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 29% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Computer Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Computer Engineering graduate from Purdue University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from Purdue University with a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Systems Integration & Test Engineer
Raytheon Missiles & Defense
Jun 2021 - Aug 2021
As a Systems Integration & Test Engineer at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, the role directly applies engineering principles and technical skills acquired during the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, making it highly relevant.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Science - MS
Purdue University
2022 - 2023
ABOUT

Motivated student with strong critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills interested in obtaining a Computer Engineering or Systems Engineering internship where he can contribute his education and technical experience.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Engineering degree from Purdue University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths taken by folks who graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Computer Engineering, it’s pretty clear that many end up in software-oriented positions. Most graduates find their way into roles like Software Engineers, Development Engineers, or Software Contractors, where they can directly apply the programming and system design skills they learned. Positions such as Software Engineer at big names like Amazon Web Services and Raytheon show that these graduates are often involved in high-level technical work that requires a solid grasp of computer engineering principles. There’s also a healthy mix of roles in consulting, tech management, and data analysis, which, while still related to tech, sometimes lean more into business or project management rather than strictly engineering tasks.

However, not all jobs are a perfect match for their degree. Some graduates take on roles where their engineering knowledge doesn’t play a major role. For example, positions in consulting or quality assurance often shift the focus away from hardcore engineering tasks to broader business strategies or management concerns. Overall, it seems that while many graduates stick closely to their computer engineering roots, a good chunk of them also branches out into roles that, although related to technology, don’t fully utilize the technical skills they developed during their studies. So, depending on the job and focus area, the relevance to computer engineering can really vary!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Engineering graduates (this is across all Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Purdue University):

What kind of career trajectories do Computer Engineering graduates from Purdue University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates of the Computer Engineering program at Purdue University seem to have a pretty solid track record when it comes to their career trajectories. Most of these individuals kick-start their professional journeys with roles that are directly related to tech, such as software engineering, quality assurance, and various engineering positions across reputable companies like Northrop Grumman, Apple, and Microsoft. From the data, it's clear that many graduates land roles that leverage their computer engineering skills right out of school, which is a great sign that the program prepares students well for the job market. Even those who start in more niche roles, like implementation consulting, often transition into technical positions, indicating a good adaptability to the tech environment.

If we look at what these graduates are doing five or ten years later, many continue to climb the career ladder in tech and engineering fields. For instance, individuals who graduated in 2010 have progressed from entry-level software roles to higher positions, including Director of Engineering. Moreover, newer graduates from 2022 and 2023 are also stepping into positions as software engineers and embedded systems engineers, suggesting that they are entering the industry right in line with their education. Overall, it does seem that a degree from Purdue in Computer Engineering generally leads to successful careers that remain relevant in the tech world, with many graduates finding fulfilling work that matches their skills over the years. So, if you're considering this path, it looks promising!

How hard is a Computer Engineering degree from Purdue University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Purdue University is definitely no walk in the park, but it’s manageable if you’re dedicated and passionate about the subject. The curriculum is pretty robust and covers a lot of ground, from electrical engineering basics to advanced programming and system design. You’ll face challenging coursework, especially in math and computer science, but it’s designed to push you and help you grow. Many students find it a bit tougher than the average degree because of the hands-on projects and rigorous labs, but with good time management and a solid study routine, it's totally achievable. Just be prepared to put in some serious effort!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering.

Do Computer Engineering graduates from Purdue University tend to make good money?

From what I can gather, these Computer Engineering graduates from Purdue University generally seem to be doing well in terms of their earnings and career progression. The grad from 2010 has climbed the ranks to a Director role, which usually comes with a hefty paycheck, while those graduating from 2015 to 2019 have landed positions at big companies like Microsoft and Apple, which typically offer solid salaries. Even recent graduates from 2022 and 2023 have secured jobs at reputable firms like Amazon and Tesla, which are known for competitive pay, especially for tech roles. Sure, some earlier jobs might not have been the highest-paying (like entry-level positions and internships), but overall, it looks like they've built promising careers and are likely pulling in decent bucks now and for the foreseeable future!

What buzzwords do Computer Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering (this is across all Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Purdue University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Computer Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Computer Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Florida 95 18
Michigan State University 94 10
Brigham Young University 94 10
Penn State University 92 14
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 91 14
University of Central Florida 90 14
Georgia Institute of Technology 90 14
Purdue University 86 34
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 86 30
Iowa State University 86 25
Texas A&M University 85 17
San Jose State University 85 16
Clemson University 85 14
Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering 85 10
North Dakota State University 84 12
Savitribai Phule Pune University 83 25
University of Mumbai 82 43
New Jersey Institute of Technology 81 11
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 79 11
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 76 11
The University of Texas at Dallas 76 18
University of South Florida 69 10
Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedbabd 55 13