What can you do with a Computer Science Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Science Engineering graduates 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 60 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Computer Science Engineering graduates have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 78%
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, 55% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Computer Science Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Computer Science Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Web Applications Grader
The Ohio State University
Jan 2019 - Present
As a Web Applications Grader, this position directly utilizes knowledge from a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering, especially in evaluating web applications and understanding programming concepts.

ABOUT

Current senior at The Ohio State University majoring In Computer Science Engineering graduating December 2019 . I have experience in Web Application development using Ruby on Rails and Angular. I am currently looking for employment for after I graduate.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Science Engineering degree?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of individuals who graduated with a degree in Computer Science Engineering, it's clear there are some common trends in the types of roles they’ve gravitated towards. A significant number of graduates have secured positions as software engineers, system administrators, and data analysts. These roles leverage the technical knowledge and skills that they developed during their studies, such as programming, problem-solving, and system design. However, it's also important to note that not all paths taken have been closely related to their Computer Science Engineering backgrounds. Some graduates found themselves in roles that are more tangentially related, such as business analysts or project managers, which may use analytical skills but often do not require the core technical expertise that a Computer Science degree provides.

Throughout the analysis, it appears that the most relevant positions are those that fall into the realm of software development and engineering, where employers actively seek out the technical skills that are a hallmark of Computer Science education. Roles such as software engineers, data scientists, and systems engineers tend to show a direct correlation to their academic training, with a daily application of core computing concepts. On the flip side, roles that involve business analysis, project management, or unrelated fields, like sales or recruitment, often do not utilize the comprehensive technical skill set that is typically expected from a Computer Science Engineering graduate. Ultimately, while many graduates enter relevant fields, a significant number also venture into roles that may not fully leverage their educational background, resulting in a mixed bag of relevancy in their career choices.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Science Engineering graduates:

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

When looking at the career trajectories of Computer Science Engineering graduates from various colleges, it's clear that there are both promising paths and instances where things don't go as planned. Many of these graduates appear to start off strong, often landing good technical roles right after graduation. Positions like Software Engineer, Systems Administrator, and various analyst roles are quite common as their first jobs. For example, those who graduated in the last few years typically found their footing in tech-heavy positions, which aligns well with their degrees.

Fast forward five to ten years in their careers, and it gets even more interesting. A notable portion of them have climbed the ladder, moving up to senior and managerial roles within reputable companies. A couple have made impressive leaps, becoming product managers or principal engineers at major firms like Amazon, Google, and Adobe. This suggests that a Computer Science degree can certainly open doors and offer substantial growth opportunities in tech. However, it's not all roses—there are some individuals who took more circuitous routes, with roles in areas seemingly unrelated to their degree, such as recruitment or business roles. That said, the majority have stayed in technical roles and continued to develop their expertise, which generally leads to successful and relevant careers.

Ultimately, while there are exceptions, graduates with a Computer Science Engineering background often have successful and rewarding careers if they pursue roles directly related to their field. It seems that for most, the initial steps lead to favorable positions in tech, which usually translates into growth and advancement over the years. So, if you're considering this field, things look pretty good for those willing to keep pushing forward!

How hard is a Computer Science Engineering degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering can be pretty challenging, especially if you're not super into math and programming. You'll usually encounter a lot of complex concepts and problem-solving tasks that require a good amount of logical thinking and analytical skills. It can feel overwhelming at times, with projects and exams that demand a lot of your time and effort. But if you have a passion for technology and enjoy tackling new problems, it can also be really rewarding. Overall, I'd say it's tougher than an average degree, but if you put in the work and stay curious, you’ll probably find it’s worth the 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 Science Engineering.

Do Computer Science Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

Looking through these LinkedIn profiles, it's clear that many of these Computer Science Engineering graduates have established themselves in decent positions and are likely making good money. For instance, roles like "Senior Software Engineer" and "Principal Engineer" typically come with attractive salaries, especially at big companies like Google, Amazon, and Adobe. Those who have moved up the ranks in their companies, such as the one who went from Software Engineer to Senior Product Manager at Adobe, probably see a significant salary increase along the way.

On the flip side, some graduates, especially those starting out or in internships, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. For example, recent graduates taking on internships or entry-level positions might still be earning relatively modest salaries until they gain more experience or transition into full-time roles at reputable companies. Overall, it seems like a good portion of these graduates are on a solid financial path, especially those landing progressively senior roles at well-known firms.

What buzzwords do Computer Science 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 Science Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Computer Science Engineering?

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

College Score Count