Software engineer is the most fastest-growing job and is one of the most satisfying careers in the world.The work environment is great, experienced engineer is in high demands, good salary and lots of career opportunities. The average software engineer salary is $107,840 per year, which is 5% higher than the median salary of a computer engineer. While “Software Developer” is only #4 in salary.com’s 8 hottest jobs of 2014 list in terms of growth rate (demand), it probably goes without saying that there are many well-paying career opportunities in Computer Science and IT (Information Technology) in general. Sep 24, 2019 Bachelor of Engineering (BEng / BE), Computer Science (CS) - Salary - Get a free salary comparison based on job title, skills, experience and education. Accurate, reliable salary.
by YK Sugi
The question of a software engineer salary versus a computer science salary should not be the determining factor when choosing your profession. Reinstall windows 10 on new ssd. Both vocations are highly rewarding salary-wise, and rapid developments in the field will further step up the demand.
Hey everyone! My name is YK, and I’m currently running CS Dojo, a programming education YouTube channel with 200,000+ subscribers. I was also formerly a software developer at Google.
Two of the most common questions my audience asks me are:
“What’s the difference between Computer Science and Software Engineering majors?”
And…
“Should I choose Computer Science or Software Engineering if I want to become a software engineer?”
In this article, I’ll answer this and give you my own quick analysis on these majors.
A quick overview of these two majors
- Computer Science is the study of how computers work, mostly from the theoretical and mathematical perspective.
- You should choose Computer Science if you like math, logic, or if you want to get into a specialized field in CS such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, security, or graphics.
- Software Engineering is the study of how software systems are built, including topics such as project management, quality assurance, and software testing.
- You should choose Software Engineering if you are more interested in the hands-on approach, and if you want to learn the overall life cycle of how software is built and maintained.
- Both Computer Science and Software Engineering teach fundamentals of programming and computer science, so you can choose either one to become a software developer.
To understand the difference between Computer Science and Software Engineering majors, let’s take a look at their respective curriculum at University of Waterloo in Canada.
I chose University of Waterloo for this because it has one of the best computer science programs in North America.
Job prospects
Let’s first compare the kinds of jobs and internships you can get through each program.
Thankfully, University of Waterloo’s website provides several examples.
For each major, here are some of the titles alumni hold, and where they work:
Computer Science
- Web Developer/Architect, The Steele Group
- Programmer, Harry Rosen Inc.
- Mobile/Cloud Developer, Clearbridge Associates Limited
- Software Engineering, General Dynamics Canada
- Software Development Engineering, Microsoft
- Agile Engineer, Pivotal Labs
- Business Analyst, Canadian Tire Corporation
- Developer Advocate, Google
- Product Manager, Dropbox
Software Engineering
- Software Developer, Tagged Inc
- Software Developer, IBM Canada
- Software Manager, Arius Software Corporation
- Software Engineer, VistaPrint USA
- Software Engineer, Harris Corporation
- Software Developer, Accenture Inc.
- Technical Product Manager — Software Design & Development, NexJ Systems Inc
- Consultant, PureFacts Financial Solutions
- Implementation Consultant, Desire2Learn
As you can see, there isn’t a huge difference between the types of jobs you can get.
The most common job graduates get after earning their Computer Science or Software Engineering degree is Software Developer or Software Engineer.
There are other related options as well, such as Product Manager, QA Analyst, and Technology Consultant. Your options will depend on your specific skill set.
First-year courses:
Now, let’s take a look at each program’s required courses. Let’s first compare some of the courses you’d need to take in your first year.
Computer Science
- CS 135 — Designing Functional Programs
- CS 136 — Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction
- MATH 135 — Algebra
- MATH 136 — Linear Algebra 1
- MATH 137 — Calculus 1
- MATH 138 — Calculus 2
- Plus a few electives
Software Engineering
- CS 137 — Programming Principles
- CS 138 — Data Abstraction and Implementation
- MATH 115 — Linear Algebra for Engineering
- MATH 117 — Calculus 1 for Engineering
- MATH 119 — Calculus 2 for Engineering
- MATH 135 — Algebra for Honours Mathematics
- ECE 105 — Physics of Electrical Engineering 1
- ECE 106 — Electricity and Magnetism
- ECE 124 — Digital Circuits and Systems
- ECE 140 — Linear Circuits
- SE 101 — Methods of Software Engineering
As you can see, the first year courses are fairly similar as well. They both cover a few fundamental computer science courses, and a few math courses in linear algebra and calculus.
The only major difference is that Software Engineering has additional physics and electrical engineering components, while Computer Science has a few more electives.
Courses after the first year:
How about the required and elective courses after the first year? Let’s take a look at several examples here:
Computer Science:
- MATH 239 Introduction to Combinatorics
- STAT 230 Probability
- STAT 231 Statistics
- CS 240 Data Structures and Data Management
- CS 241 Foundations of Sequential Programs
- CS 245 Logic and Computation
- CS 246 Object-Oriented Software Development <- not required in for Software Engineering majors
- CS 251 Computer Organization and Design
- CS 341 Algorithms
- CS 350 Operating Systems
- Plus, several Computer Science electives
Software Engineering:
- CHE 102 Chemistry for Engineers
- ECE 222 Digital Computers (includes assembly language)
- ECE 358 Computer Networks
- MATH 213 Advanced Mathematics for Software Engineers
- MATH 239 Introduction to Combinatorics
- STAT 206 Statistics for Software Engineering
- MSCI 261 Engineering Economics: Financial Management for Engineers
- CS 241 Foundations of Sequential Programs
- CS 240 Data Structures and Data Management
- CS 247 Software Engineering Principles <- not required for Computer Science majors
- CS 341 Algorithms
- CS 349 User Interfaces <- not required for Computer Science majors
- CS 343 Concurrent and Parallel Programming <- not required for Computer Science majors
- CS 348 Introduction to Database Management
- SE 212 Logic and Computation
- SE 350 Operating Systems
- SE 465 Software Testing and Quality Assurance
- SE 464 Software Design and Architectures
- SE 463 Software Requirements Specification and Analysis
- SE 490 Design Project
- Plus, a few computer science and electrical engineering electives
I’ve given you a LOT of information to digest here. But here’s my summary:
When it comes to the requirements in math and statistics, Computer Science and Software Engineering are almost identical. They cover combinatorics, probability and statistics.
The core computer science requirements are similar as well, ranging over algorithms, data structures, and operating systems.
The key difference are that:
- Software Engineering has more requirements in electrical engineering and software engineering fundamentals, such as software testing, design, and software requirements specification.
- Computer Science allows more electives in higher-level computer science courses. You can choose from a wide range of topics such as security, software engineering fundamentals, computer vision, machine learning, and database management.
So, which major should you choose?
I think it mostly depends on your preferences. In short:
- You should choose Computer Science if you like math, logic, or if you want to get into a specialized field in CS such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, security or graphics.
- You should choose Software Engineering if you’re more interested in the hands-on approach, and if you want to learn the overall life cycle of how software is built and maintained.
But wait — which is it then? Which major is better if you want to be a software engineer?
Here is my opinion. At this particular university (University of Waterloo), with this particular set of program requirements, Computer Science is a better major if you want to be a software engineer.
Just for simplicity, let’s suppose that you are hoping to get one the highest paying jobs (~$100,000 USD / year) as a software engineer in North America. These jobs are typically at large software companies (think Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc.) or at medium-sized, high-growth companies (think Dropbox, Lyft, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc.).
Typically, what they look for in a software engineer candidate is the ability to write solid code and build interesting projects, as well as computer science fundamentals including data structures and algorithms.
I think the best way to cultivate this skill set is by quickly learning computer science fundamentals, and spending your own time practicing solving problems and writing code.
Based on the curriculum for Software Engineering and based on how busy engineering students tend to be in general, I think it would be harder to do this with Software Engineering than with Computer Science.
Another benefit of this particular Computer Science program is that it allows more computer science electives. This is great as well because depending on what’s in demand in the job market, you’ll be able to adjust your courses. For example, if mobile app development is in demand, you can learn that. And if parallel computing is in demand, you can focus on that instead.
I’m sure there are some benefits to learning software engineering fundamentals (project management, design, testing, etc.). But I would personally rather take flexibility over a predefined set of skills. That’s why I think Computer Science is a better major to become a software engineer with this particular curriculum.
Of course, that’s just my opinion, and this is just one particular university. I’d love to hear about your opinion and what your experience was like if you majored in either Computer Science or Software Engineering. Please let me know in a comment below.
A few notes
Note 1: Different universities have different requirements for these two majors. This article should be a good starting point, but you should still take a look at the program requirements at the university you’re interested in attending.
Arduino serial.write tutorial. I'm using Arduino Uno & Arduino Ethernet Shield, and I need to send the data with upto 4 digits after the decimal.I was really frustrated, but my the mercy of God, I came to read this post & found out that it's Arduino's nature.Most probably I shouldn't ask it here.
Note 2: Some universities don’t even have a Software Engineering major. For example, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has Computer Science and Computer Engineering degrees, but not Software Engineering. But they do have a software engineering concentration within their Computer Science program, as well as in Computer Engineering.
If the university you’re interested in going to doesn’t have a Software Engineering major, I would go with Computer Science if you want to become a software developer. Computer Engineering is more focused on hardware than Computer Science or Software Engineering, so it’s less directly related to a typical software developer’s job.
And here are the main sources I used:
Thanks for reading, and good luck choosing a university and your major! ?
Before investing time and money into a college degree it is important to take into consideration how your investment can be turned into profit. There are many ways to calculate the starting salaries and earning potential in your field of choice. Computer science degrees are some of the most employable types of degrees that students can choose. As many job markets are shrinking due to automation, computer science is one field that is projected to benefit and expand over the next few decades. Therefore, estimates of earning potential for computer science jobs might be understated at this time. As the Information Age continues to evolve more computer science jobs will be created, and there are already not enough qualified professionals to fill the demand in the job market place. Because of this there is great potential for promotion and salary growth since new positions open up on a regular basis. A computer science degree places graduates in one of the few job markets where they hold all the cards, as potential employers are looking for them, instead of the other way around. While a foot in the door with an associates degree will net you a comfortable salary, a more prestigious degree will grant you access to a higher starting salary, and will allow you to leap frog job applicants that are less qualified.
The computer science field has many various subsections: Information Assurance, Cyber Security, Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, and the list goes on. Knowing what you have an affinity for is probably the most important factor in determining what kind of computer science degree to pursue, because they all have the potential to find high-salaried employment. If you are good at working with physical hardware, Computer Engineering could be the best route. If you are more comfortable doing high-level mathematics, Information Technology would be an appropriate degree to pursue. If you are interested in the political and social ramifications of online data breaches, Network Security would be a good path to follow. Let’s look at the average current salaries of some of the different jobs that students with computer science degrees are qualified for.
Associate’s Degrees in Computer Science
An associates degree in a computer science field will allow you to get your foot in the door for the least amount of investment. If you can see yourself climbing the company ladder towards promotion this might be the best route, though you should expect an entry-level job with a lower starting salary. Jobs in this field include Computer Support Specialist, who are expected to provide troubleshooting to private citizens or business employees that are using computer software and equipment. The median salary of a Computer Support Specialist is $52,160. Someone who has an associates in Network Security could land a job as a Vulnerability Assessment Analyst, where they would be expected to identify weak links in a company’s network that could be breached by a hacker. The average salary of a Vulnerability Assessment Analyst is $64,000. Someone with an associates in Information Technology would be qualified to become a Web Developer, where they would write code to create websites for companies. The median salary of a Web Developer is $66,130 per year. Associates degrees in computer science fields can therefore be expected to land you a job with a salary in the range of $50,000-$65,000.
Think you might be interested in an associate’s in computer science? Check out our ranking of the best online associate’s in computer science degrees.
Bachelor’s Degrees in Computer Science
A bachelor’s degree in a computer science field will qualify graduates for a number of higher paying jobs. A bachelor’s degree in Information Assurance would qualify someone to become an Ethical Hacker, where they would be expected to test network security by finding weak points in their system and attempting to breach them in order to patch weak points and make them safer. Ethical Hackers have a median salary of $72,000. Someone with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science who has good command of coding languages would be qualified to become a Computer Programmer. Computer Programmers make an average of $79,840. Someone with a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems would be qualified to become a Network and Computer Systems Administrator, where they would be responsible for the daily operations of a company’s network. Network and Computer Systems Administrators have an average salary of $79,700. A bachelor’s degree in a Computer Science field can be expected to get you a salary in the range of $70,000-$80,000.
Think you might be interested in a bachelor’s in Computer Science? Check out our ranking of the best online bachelor’s in computer science degrees.
Master’s Degrees in Computer Science
A master’s degree in an area of computer science allows graduates to land jobs with high salary and position security. A master’s degree in Cyber Security would qualify you to become an Information Security Analyst. Information Security Analysts are expected to create networks that protect their company’s valuable data, and their average salary is $92,600. Someone with a master’s degree in Software Engineering would qualify them to become a Software Developer, where they would create apps and computer programs. Software Developers make an average yearly salary of $102,280. A graduate with a master’s degree in Information Systems could become a Computer Network Architect, where they would design data communication networks for private and public communications among businesses and their clients. Computer Network Architects earn an average salary of $101,210. A master’s degree in Computer Science can therefore be expected to net graduates a salary between $90,000-$105,000.
Think you might be interested in a master’s in computer science? Check out our ranking of the best online master’s in computer science degrees today.
Computer Science Vs Software Engineering Pay Chart
Doctorates in Computer Science
Computer Science And Software Engineering Salary
Doctorates in Computer Science give graduates access to the upper echelon of salaries in their field. Computer and Information Research Scientists conduct research to create innovative uses for existing technology, applying their computer knowledge to fields like medicine, business, and science, and have an average salary of $111,840. Application Architects are expected to oversee a wide variety of software developments for tech-based companies, and have an average salary of $108,000. Data architects are responsible for archival maintenance and organization, and have an average salary of $119,000. The sky is the limit for graduates with doctorates in computer science, as they can expect to earn salaries of at least $105,000, with the potential to earn up to $150,000 and beyond.
Think you might be interested in a PhD in Computer Science? Check out ranking of the best computer science departments in the world today.