Computer Science vs Computer Engineering: What’s the Right Field For Me?

Computer science and computer engineering may sound like the same thing. However, there are major differences between the two areas. While computer science focuses on software development, computer engineering is more about hardware development.

If you’re unsure about which career path might be for you, take a look at this guide. We’ll show you the main differences between computer science and computer engineering and the potential career opportunities in each field. 

Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering: What’s the Difference?

The major difference between computer science and computer engineering is that they work with different areas of technology development. Computer science engineers work on the development of software, while computer engineers work on hardware. 

This means that computer engineers can work in the areas of robotics, aerospace, and cyber security, while computer science students can focus on areas like software engineering, database management, and operating systems.

What Is Computer Science?

Computer science is the study of computational theory, including both hardware and software, but with a primary focus on digital products. Computer science covers topics like data structures, functions, algorithms, data modeling, and network engineering. 

Computer science also deals with technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer architecture, and web design. To learn about computer science, you can go to school for a computer science degree or check out the best coding bootcamps. 

What Is Computer Engineering?

Computer engineering is the computing side of electrical engineering. An electrical engineer who designs and develops computer hardware components like batteries, integrated circuits, circuit boards, memory devices, processors, and routers is a computer engineer.

The role of a computer engineer is also to monitor the manufacturing process by testing the products to evaluate their performance. As necessary, they update current computing tools to match them up with up-to-date software. That’s why they work closely with developers throughout the entire development process. 

Computer engineering doesn’t only deal with computer products. The field also covers all forms of modern technology driven by the Internet of things (IoT), such as home supplies or any component that needs to be connected to the Internet. There are degree programs for computer engineering, but bootcamps do not typically cover this topic. 

Similarities Between Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Computer engineers and computer scientists both work with computer components, hardware, and software architecture. In both disciplines, you need to use logical thinking and math skills. 

In the job market, the two professions often collaborate, working together on computer solutions and other practical applications. Both of these careers can be achieved through a college or university degree program.

Computer Engineering vs Computer Science: Roles and Responsibilities

Computer scientists and computer engineers usually work closely to develop digital products that offer a smooth user experience. However, they focus on different aspects of development and have different responsibilities during the development process. Below, we will talk about these differences in greater detail. 

What Does a Computer Scientist Do?

A computer scientist usually works at the software level of production. A computer scientist conducts research and tests based on his or her understanding of the theory of computation, designing solutions for software and websites. They create innovative products to solve problems and automate tasks. 

A computer scientist must work with the front end and backend processes of software and web development. It’s also their job to troubleshoot any issues with the product and maintain it with upgrades.  

What Does a Computer Engineer Do?

A computer engineer’s role is to design, develop, and install hardware products and components such as memory cards, electrical circuits, or batteries. They must also work with software engineers to make sure the software runs smoothly with the hardware and that the interface functions well with the physical parts of the product. 

Another computer engineering responsibility is to design and set up networks. Computer engineers must test them to avoid any potential issues with the system.  

Potential Career Paths

Both computer science and computer engineering come with a comprehensive list of potential career paths you can follow. It will all depend on your expertise, specializations, and aspirations for your career. We will show you some of the most common career paths for computer science and computer engineering below.  

Computer Science Jobs

Computer scientists have a wide range of careers to choose from. Computer science is a pretty extensive field that includes software development, database administration, and even artificial intelligence. Below is a list of computer science positions you could pursue.  

• Software engineer
• Web developer
• Network systems analyst
• Database administrator
• AI or machine learning engineer

Computer Engineering Jobs

Computer engineers can perform most of the manufacturing processes for IT products and components. That’s why jobs like hardware engineer or hardware designer suit them most. If you prefer to work independently, you can also become an IT consultant with a Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering.

Look at the following list to know some of the job opportunities in the computer engineering field. 

• Chief technology officer
• Computer hardware engineer
• Computer network architect 
• Firmware engineer
• Electrical design engineer

Computer Science vs Computer Engineering: Job Outlook and Salary Expectations

These two fields cover most of the career options in the computer technology industry, and either field can lead to a lucrative career. According to PayScale, a four-year computer science degree is worth an average annual salary of about $87,000, and the same type of computer engineering degree is good for around $89,000.

Both computer science graduates and computer engineering graduates earn significantly more than the average professional working in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary is $41,950. 

What Is the Difference Between a Computer Science and a Computer Engineering Degree?

Computer science majors focus on software development, so you’ll learn programming languages like HTML, Python, and JavaScript on your way to a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. You’ll also study data structures, databases, operating systems, and other advanced topics like machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

A college computer engineering program will teach you how to take the theory of computing and build a practical application. Computer engineering majors learn about hardware prototyping, designing, and testing. You will focus on the manufacturing process and learn how to build microchips, laptops, smartphones, and intelligent machines.

Computer Science Courses

All legitimate computer science degree programs have ABET-accredited curricula, which means they all offer essentially the same courses. It doesn’t matter how much programming experience you have. You will start with the fundamental principles and work your way up to more complex topics. Below are some sample course titles. 

• Mathematical Foundations of Computing
• Introduction to Linear Algebra 
• Programming Fundamentals 
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Operating Systems and Computer Architecture 

Computer Engineering Courses

Computer engineering programs in the United States are also accredited by ABET. The core curriculum is designed to give students a basic foundation in physics, chemistry, math, and other core electrical and computer engineering topics. Let’s take a look at a few examples. 

• Calculus I & II 
• Physics for Engineers and Scientists
• Fundamentals of Analog and Digital Circuits 
• Signal Analysis and Processing
• Digital Systems Design

Computer Science vs Computer Engineering Specializations

If you’re interested in advancing your career in any of these fields, you can do it. There are many specializations you can follow in either computer science or computer engineering. Below you will see both types of specializations in depth. 

Computer Science Specializations

Computer science programs give you several specializations to choose from. You can become a web developer, software engineer, game designer, or cyber security engineer. Below we have listed some CS concentrations that most university programs offer. 

• Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence developers create innovative solutions using AI technology. They must know about topics like natural language processing, deep learning, statistical learning theory, and information retrieval.
• Game design or game development: In this specialization, you will focus on how to build a video game. You will learn about programming languages like C++ and C#, video game graphics, and popular game engines like Unity and Unreal.  
• Information security: This specialization consists of a series of practices used to protect computer systems and networks. You will learn about cyber security measures, troubleshooting, and risk management.

Computer Engineering Specializations

As a computer engineer, you can focus on areas like bioengineering, circuits manufacturing, mobile manufacturing, and nanotechnology. We review some of the most prominent computer engineering specializations below. 

• Hardware systems: This is one of the most common computer engineering specializations. You will study concepts like electronic design, automation, and computer architecture. 
• Mobile and distributed computing: In this specialization, you will learn about cloud computing, mobile computing, and distributed algorithms. This is perfect if you would like to work in mobile manufacturing. You can work for companies like Apple and Samsung with this specialty. 
• Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is the process of building microscopic hardware like microchips. In this specialization, you will learn about nanoelectronics and nanophotonics, both of which deal with the behavior of physical phenomena at the microscopic level. 

What Skills Will I Learn?

Whether you study computer science or computer engineering, you will learn about software and hardware fundamentals and hone your problem-solving skills. While there is some overlap, the two fields require different skillsets overall. Take a look at the following list to learn about the skills you’ll need to be successful in each field. 

Computer Science Skills 

Software Development

One of the most relevant computer science skills is software development. You will learn about the most popular programming languages for front end and backend development, such as HTML, CSS, and Python. You’ll also learn software design, which is the process of creating the structure of a software product and its appearance.

Database Management

As a computer scientist, you should be proficient at managing databases. This includes subskills like data security, accessibility control, and database organization. If you focus on honing these skills, you can become a database administrator. 

Data Analytics

Data analytics is a skill that involves collecting data, scraping it, and analyzing it to find relevant insights. Data analytics is used in most industries for research purposes. It’s used for identifying trends and anomalies, as well as for forecasting events.

Computer Engineering Skills 

Computer Architecture 

Computer architecture refers to the construction and organization of computer systems. This also involves the functionality and implementation of computer components, especially when it comes to hardware.  

Hardware Testing

Hardware testing is the process of evaluating the performance of computer components. It is particularly used in mobile and computer manufacturing. Computer engineers must be able to troubleshoot any issue they find.

Nanotechnology Design

Nanotechnology design is another relevant skill you will acquire as a computer engineer. It consists of creating nanodevices such as microchips. This has become even more relevant with the rising popularity of microdevices. 

How to Decide Which Master’s Degree Is Right for You

Both of these career paths are very lucrative and rewarding, but if you really want to maximize your earning potential, you should go to graduate school for computer science or computer engineering. To help you choose which of these master’s degrees to pursue, let’s examine the two most relevant factors. 

Salary 

Salary may be a decisive factor when it comes to choosing a master’s degree. According to PayScale, those with a Master’s in Computer Science earn about $104,000 per year, while a Master’s in Computer Engineering can get you $102,000. The difference is small, but computer science is the slightly more lucrative field for advanced students. 

Your Passion

Even though computer science and engineering have several similarities, they focus on different areas, so you should keep that in mind when choosing a specialization. Are you more interested in software engineering or hardware manufacturing? This is a key factor to consider before diving into one field over the other. 

Which Degree Should I Pursue?

You should choose a degree that matches your aspirations and the subjects you enjoy the most. Both computer science and computer engineering are very challenging, so you should be prepared to spend a lot of time studying and preparing. You’ll have to work under pressure much of the time.

If you feel happier writing code and designing digital solutions, computer science would be a great match. However, if you enjoy designing prototypes and constructing components, you should start researching the best computer engineering schools.