What can you do with a Computer Engineering degree from San Jose State University?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Engineering graduates from San Jose State 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Computer Engineering graduates from San Jose State University have a much higher likelihood (+18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 85%
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 6% 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 San Jose State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 77%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from San Jose State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Instructor Student Assistant
San Jose State University
Jan 2016 - Dec 2016
The role of Instructor Student Assistant may involve some educational support skills that could be indirectly linked to computer engineering, but it does not utilize specific core qualifications related to the degree.

Cybersecurity Intern
BAE Systems
Jan 2017 - Apr 2017
The Cybersecurity Intern position at BAE Systems requires knowledge and skills in cybersecurity which directly align with the core qualifications of a Computer Engineering degree.

Systems Engineer, Cybersecurity
BAE Systems
Apr 2017 - Feb 2018
As a Systems Engineer specializing in Cybersecurity at BAE Systems, this position heavily relies on computer engineering principles and cybersecurity expertise gained through the Bachelor's degree, making it directly relevant.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Engineering degree from San Jose State University?

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


When looking at the job experiences of San Jose State University graduates with a degree in Computer Engineering, it becomes pretty clear that the most common roles fall into the areas of software engineering, cybersecurity, and embedded systems. Many graduates have found positions as Software Engineers, often progressing from entry-level roles to more senior positions, indicating that companies value their technical skills and knowledge. Positions like Software Engineering Fellow, Software Developer, and Senior Software Engineer highlighted in the profiles demonstrate a strong reliance on programming, problem-solving, and systems design—all of which are core components of a Computer Engineering education.

However, not every job listed is directly aligned with the technical aspects of computer engineering. Some roles, like Instructor Student Assistant or Information Technology Intern, might touch on technical skills but often lean more toward support or administrative functions rather than applying engineering principles. That said, the majority of the roles observed tend to be relevant to the graduates' degree, particularly those in software development and cybersecurity, which align closely with the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies. Overall, while there are some outliers, many graduates are leveraging their Computer Engineering backgrounds effectively in their careers.

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 San Jose State University):

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

From the LinkedIn profiles analyzed, it looks like graduates from San Jose State University with a degree in Computer Engineering have generally gone on to have solid career trajectories, especially in tech-related fields. For many, the first jobs after graduation often include internships or entry-level positions in software engineering, cybersecurity, or systems engineering. For example, graduates from 2016 to 2020 typically transitioned from internships to roles like Software Engineer or Systems Engineer, quickly climbing the ladder to more advanced positions within reputable companies. This pattern indicates that most graduates are leveraging their degree effectively, landing roles directly related to Computer Engineering, which is a great sign for future students considering this path.

Looking a bit further down the line, five to ten years post-graduation, many of these alumni are found in more senior roles. For instance, several graduates who started as Software Engineers or Test Analysts progressed to Senior Software Engineer positions, or moved into specialized roles like Embedded Firmware Engineer, showcasing growth and advancement within the field. While not every single graduate seems to have hit the jackpot—some have taken more varied paths or are still figuring things out—it's clear that a solid chunk of them have found success in careers closely related to their field of study. Overall, it's encouraging to see that a Computer Engineering degree from SJSU can open doors to rewarding and relevant careers in the tech industry.

How hard is a Computer Engineering degree from San Jose State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering can be pretty challenging, and at a school like San Jose State University, it’s no walk in the park either. You're diving into a lot of tough stuff like circuits, programming, and systems design, all of which can be pretty intense, especially if math and problem-solving aren’t your strong suits. The workload tends to be heavy, with lots of projects and labs that require both time and dedication. However, if you’re passionate about technology and are ready to put in the effort, you’ll find it rewarding. In comparison to other engineering degrees, it might be around the same level of difficulty, so it definitely requires commitment, but it's manageable if you're willing to work for it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering.

Do Computer Engineering graduates from San Jose State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Computer Engineering grads from San Jose State University, it seems like many have found some solid opportunities that suggest they’re doing pretty well financially, especially those who started out as software engineers or in cybersecurity roles. For example, the 2017 grad who climbed the ranks at Applied Materials kicked off as a Software Engineer E1 and moved up to E2 Senior in just a few short years, which likely comes with a nice paycheck. Even the 2018 grad currently working as a Research Engineer seems to be in a decent spot, and given that tech salaries are often high in California, it’s a good bet that most of these folks are making decent money. However, some recent grads have taken on internships or lower-level positions, which might not be the same in terms of salary. Overall, though, it looks like a lot of them are on track to earn well as they progress in their careers.

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 San Jose State 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