UnisHub University Compass

Computer Hardware Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Computer Hardware Engineering is a rigorous academic discipline focused on the design, development, and evaluation of computing systems and their physical components. Students gain a deep understanding of how electronic systems function at the foundational level, preparing them to innovate and optimize hardware for performance, efficiency, and reliability across a range of technological applications.

  • Computer Circuit and Chip Design: Explores the creation and optimization of integrated circuits and microchips, emphasizing logic design, fabrication processes, and performance constraints.
  • Circuitry Fundamentals: Covers the principles of analog and digital electronic circuits, including signal integrity, power distribution, and component behavior under real-world conditions.
  • Computer Systems Design: Focuses on the architectural integration of hardware components to create efficient, scalable, and high-performance computing platforms.
  • Computer Equipment Design: Addresses the engineering of physical hardware systems, including motherboards, storage devices, and input/output interfaces, with an emphasis on usability and durability.
  • Computer Layout Planning: Involves the strategic organization of internal components within computing devices to optimize thermal management, space utilization, and signal routing.
  • Testing Procedures: Teaches systematic methods for validating hardware functionality, reliability, and compliance with industry standards through simulation, prototyping, and diagnostic analysis.
  • Computer Theory and Software Integration: Provides foundational knowledge of computational principles and the interaction between hardware and low-level software, including firmware and operating system-level interfaces.

Computer Hardware Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

80
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
6
Universities & Colleges
3
Career Pathways

Computer Hardware Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Computer Hardware Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Computer Hardware Engineers and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 325,960 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 $167,740 $111,450 - $239,200 210,340 $80.64
Computer Hardware Engineers 17-2061 $155,020 $85,430 - $223,820 75,710 $74.53
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 $106,120 $59,790 - $200,650 39,910 N/A

Computer Hardware Engineering Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $104,593 in Mississippi to $170,277 in California—a 63% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Mexico, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 325,960 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Computer Hardware Engineering by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 6 institutions offering Computer Hardware Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Computer Hardware Engineering is found at Santa Clara University (SCU) (43 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (17 graduates), Oakland University (OU) (14 graduates), Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) (3 graduates), and Rogue Community College (RCC) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 80 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
Santa Clara University (SCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
43 Santa Clara, California Private scu.edu
University of California (UCSD)
Master's
17 La Jolla, California Public ucsd.edu
Oakland University (OU)
Master's
14 Rochester Hills, Michigan Public oakland.edu
Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech)
Master's
3 Chicago, Illinois Private iit.edu
Rogue Community College (RCC)
Associate's
2 Grants Pass, Oregon Public roguecc.edu
Villanova University
Postbac Cert.
1 Villanova, Pennsylvania Private villanova.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Computer Hardware Engineering programs

How much can I earn with a Computer Hardware Engineering degree?

Salaries for Computer Hardware Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Computer Hardware Engineers earn around $155,020. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $170,277 compared to $104,593 in Mississippi. Approximately 325,960 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Computer Hardware Engineering programs?

Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Computer Hardware Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Santa Clara University (SCU) (43 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (17 graduates), and Oakland University (OU) (14 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Computer Hardware Engineering growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2 in 2010 to 80 in 2023-24. This represents a 3,900% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Computer Hardware Engineering degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Computer Hardware Engineers, and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 325,960 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Related Engineering Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Engineering field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.

Mining and Mineral Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of mineral extraction, processing and...

285 graduates (2023-2024)
14 schools offer this
View Program

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of self-propelled, stationary, or towed...

445 graduates (2023-2024)
15 schools offer this
View Program

Nuclear Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for controlling and...

959 graduates (2023-2024)
33 schools offer this
View Program

Ocean Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems to monitor, control,...

276 graduates (2023-2024)
15 schools offer this
View Program

Petroleum Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for locating, extracting,...

755 graduates (2023-2024)
28 schools offer this
View Program

Systems Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of total systems solutions to...

3,956 graduates (2023-2024)
98 schools offer this
View Program