Computer engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Byte into your future
Computer engineers design and test new computer technologies and develop innovations for modern-day life, from medical equipment and automobiles, to hand-held devices and video games, to power grids and communication systems.
To prepare for these careers, you will build skills in both electrical engineering and computer science. You will learn not only about the software side of computing technology, but also about the design of computer chips, circuit boards, control systems and other electronic hardware.
You will learn to apply your broad-based knowledge and technical skills to develop computing technology for instrumentation, control and communication and power-conversion systems.
Overview
Spark ideas and build systems
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Are a critical thinker and problem solver
- Enjoy technology
- Are naturally curious about how things work (especially electronics)
- Have strong skills in math and science
- Are a hard worker
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,146 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and starting salaries
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
$48,689 - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
$61,877 - Architectural and Engineering Managers
$122,156 - Computer Network Architects
$88,061 - Computer Hardware Engineers
$108,699
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the University of Idaho FAFSA website.
Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
Scholarships
Unlock scholarship opportunities at University of Idaho! When you apply to U of I, you're automatically considered for scholarships. We also offer a variety of scholarships based on experience, background and academic programs that student can apply for to help pay for college.
Explore available scholarships on our Scholarships website.
Program specific scholarships
- CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service — upper division undergraduate recipients receive a $27,000 stipend. All tuition and degree-related fees are paid through this National Science Foundation grant open to upper-division computer science and computer engineering students.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
All U of I College of Engineering students, especially undergraduates, participate in hands-on activities through:
- Idaho’s only Grand Challenge Scholars Program - Preparing undergraduates to solve the biggest challenges facing society in the 21st century.
- Nationally-ranked Senior Capstone Design Program - Emphasizing the design process and the creation of a thoughtfully engineered, tested and validated outcome or prototype. Interdisciplinary teams showcase their work at our annual Engineering Design EXPO.
Clubs
Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.
Learn about clubs related to your major:
- Association for Computer Machinery (ACM)
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- International Microelectronics and Packaging Society (IMAPS)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Robotics Club
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society (TBP)
- Vandal Atmospheric Science Team (VAST)
Internships
- Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) — Get paid up to $20,000 for a six-month session working with Micron, HP, BorgWarner, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in-between your junior and senior years.
- Idaho National Laboratory Undergraduate Internships — Earn a nationally competitive wage during a 10- to 16-week internship at the nation’s leading center for nuclear energy research and development. For students pursuing STEM fields.
- NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) — Mentor-directed, career-related internship programs that contribute to NASA’s mission. Sessions are held in fall, spring and summer and are open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) — Receive a $4,000 student fellowship and $1,000 stipend to work on faculty-mentored projects full-time in any field of study.
- DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE Germany) Programs — RISE Germany offers undergraduate students the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions.
Application information
Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.