Bachelor’s in software engineering degrees

What can you do with a bachelor's in software engineering degree?

Software engineers design and upgrade operating systems and networks in any industry requiring large-scale software creation and maintenance, such as healthcare, retail, banking, and business.

Certifications, such as the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional credential from (ISC)², can demonstrate your mastery of the field and help you stand out in the job market, though they are not required for employment.

With a bachelor's in software engineering degree, you can pursue computer professions beyond just software engineer, however. This program helps provide a foundational understanding of various computing principles, which you can apply as a software architect, QA analyst, and database administrator, among other roles.

The following list includes some available career pathways for graduates with bachelor's in software engineering degrees:

• Software engineer
• QA analyst
• Software architect
• Mobile app developer
• Database administrator

Salary expectations for software engineers

Though the scope of software developers' and engineers' work differs, their responsibilities overlap in some cases. As such, you can look to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) salary data for software developers and similar tech roles for approximations that will have some rough correlation to the salaries of software engineers. As of May 2024, BLS data indicates that software developers earn a median annual salary of $131,450.

Industry plays a role in determining your pay as a software developer or engineer. According to the BLS, the highest paying industries include software publishing, manufacturing, and finance and insurance. Location also affects incomes for these positions, as thriving tech hubs employ more software professionals.

Career outlook for software engineers

Though the BLS does not track projection data specifically for software engineers, its reporting on similar roles can provide insight into estimates for the field. For example, for the BLS' broad category of "computer occupations," the Bureau projects a 12% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2033, which is three times the projected rate for all occupations in this period.

The BLS reports an even higher projected growth rate of 17% for similar roles of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers, all of which generally require a bachelor's degree.

What do you learn in a bachelor's in software engineering program?

Like most , you'll start by completing general education credits in foundational subjects like English, algebra, and biology. Core coursework for a bachelor's in software engineering covers tech subjects like computer programming, software design, and network security.

A significant amount of your classes will also include advanced mathematics courses like probability, statistics, and discrete math.

You may encounter bachelor's-level software engineering programs as dedicated degrees in the subject or as a specialization within a computer science program. In this regard, you can use your personal and professional goals to find your ideal program — if you want to work as a software engineer after graduation, a dedicated program will likely better prepare you for that role.

Studying software engineering online

Software engineering translates well to the virtual space due to its tech focus. Much of the work you would complete professionally can occur remotely, and the online experience can mirror this.

Still, the flexibility provided by online programs — especially those delivered through asynchronous delivery — requires students to have sharp organization and time management skills. Students who prefer direct feedback on assignments may prefer a traditional, on-campus setting.

Furthering your education as a software engineer

A dives deeper than the foundational subjects in a bachelor's program, such as software project management, deep learning, and machine vision.

Completing a graduate degree in this field can help demonstrate your mastery of the subject to potential employers and can help you qualify for more senior positions, like computer and information systems manager or chief technology officer.

Published July 21, 2025