Software Engineering in USA: Best Software Engineering Universities in USA, Requirements, Fees, Jobs & More

Course Curriculum of Software Engineering in USA

The course curriculum of software engineering courses in USA intends to prepare the students for professional practice, as well as further studies and research in the software engineering field. The credit hours of the course are determined based on the type of program. However, it consists of some required core courses and technical electives that provide you to design and implement large-scale software systems and embedded systems. The subjects included in the course are:

1. Computer Organization
2. Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis
3. Operating System
4. Engineering Probability and Statistics
5. Software Architecture and Design Patterns
6. Software Engineering Management
7. Data Analytics in Software Engineering
8. Advanced Software Techniques in Engineering Applications

Read: IT Courses in USA

List of Top Universities in USA For Software Engineering

There are a lot of best software engineering universities in USA to provide you with the right professional skills and knowledge about the course. Most of them have an excellent academic infrastructure with the best campus facilities to provide advanced education. Out of them, here we have curated a list of top universities in USA for software engineering courses:

1. Harvard University
2. Arizona State University
3. University of California-Irvine
4. University of Michigan Dearborn
5. The University of Texas Dallas
6. Stevens Institute of Technology

Let's discuss each university one by one below:

1.  Harvard University

Harvard University is one of the top universities in the USA offering software engineering both in online and full-time mode. The program develops your understanding of current technologies, such as databases, communication protocols, cloud computing, and web frameworks and their application. It gains you the ability to specify, design, implement, analyse, and improve software solutions from a wide variety of domains.

QS World University Rankings 2023	5
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	54,768 USD
Programs Offered	MLA in Software Engineering

2.  Arizona State University

The software engineering program of Arizona State University is a blend of engineering, computing, project leadership and software construction. It has a unique, project-driven curriculum, establishing a new model for software engineering education. The program provides the flexibility to select technical electives from a pool of courses in different software engineering application areas such as web and mobile applications, embedded systems and other various interdisciplinary areas.

QS World University Rankings 2023	219
Type of University	Public
Average Annual Fees	36,565 USD
Programs Offered	BS in Software Engineering MS in Software Engineering

3.  University of California-Irvine

The software engineering majors at UCI give a strong foundation in software engineering as well as a solid basis in computer science. The program is based on the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software; that is, the application of engineering to software. It aims to develop a deeper understanding of the processes, tools, and techniques involved in the creation of dependable, large-scale software systems.

QS World University Rankings 2023	235
Type of University	Public
Average Annual Fees	41,824 USD
Programs Offered	BS in Software Engineering MS in Software Engineering PhD in Software Engineering

4.  University of Michigan Dearborn

University of Michigan software engineering builds a solid foundation in many of the field’s key disciplines. It is a comprehensive program which includes studying everything from designing, building, testing and optimising software systems to their implementation and management. It provides an emphasis on the technical skills needed to design, build, and modify complex software solutions; you'll be well-equipped to put your expertise to use in almost any context.

QS World University Rankings 2023	-
Type of University	Public
Average Annual Fees	29,584 USD
Programs Offered	BS in Software Engineering MS in Software Engineering

5.  The University of Texas Dallas

Software engineering course in UT Dallas is part of the Department of Computer Science, which features an internationally recognized faculty with modern classrooms and cutting-edge laboratories. The program is based on a mathematical foundation that includes calculus, linear algebra and discrete mathematics. Its course curriculum includes courses in engineering, software validation and testing, and software architecture.

QS World University Rankings 2023	521-530
Type of University	Public
Average Annual Fees	39,776 USD
Programs Offered	BSc in Software Engineering Executive MSc in Software Engineering PhD in Software Engineering

6.  Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology’s software engineering degree program provides a rigorous general engineering education with depth in software engineering and systems engineering principles. The course taught analysis, architecture, design, and development of software as the fundamental component that allows complex systems to function with intelligence, efficiency and resilience. It gives an opportunity to obtain a degree with a concentration in cybersecurity, financial systems, healthcare systems and sustainable energy.

QS World University Rankings 2023	701-750
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	58,624 USD
Programs Offered	Bachelor's in Software Engineering MSc in Software Engineering

Read: Masters in HRM USA

Eligibility Criteria for Software Engineering in USA

To study software engineering in USA, you need to complete some criteria first based on the program. Every degree and university has different eligibility criteria and qualifications for admission. To help you with that, here we have discussed some standard requirements required in any software engineering in USA:

1. Educational Qualifications
2. English Language Proficiency
3. GRE or GMAT Scores
4. Work Experience
5. Passport & Student Visa

Let us discuss each of them below:

1.  Educational Qualifications

The educational qualifications are the foremost requirements for any software engineering courses in USA. For a bachelor in software engineering in USA, you must have completed your higher secondary with a good academic score.

For a Masters degree, a bachelor's degree in a related field is required. To pursue a PhD in software engineering in USA, you may have to complete an MS in software engineering or a relevant field. A grade point average of B or better is required.

2.  English Language Proficiency

International students whose first language is not English are required to appear in the language test to prove their proficiency for admission to software engineering programs in USA. A minimum accepted score for TOEFL is 575 for paper and pencil, and 233 for the computerised tests and 90 for internet-based tests. Also, a minimum of 7.0 in IELTS test is accepted in most universities.

3.  GRE or GMAT Scores

GRE or GMAT is not a mandatory requirement in recent times. However, some of the colleges have made it essential, while some require it as optional. But you can submit the scores as it helps you in evaluation. The competitive test scores should be between

• GRE: 280 - 340
• GMAT: 625 - 700

4.  Work Experience

For MS or PhD in software engineering in USA, universities may ask for your work experience. So, having minimum 2 or 3 years of work experience will be effective. Although this is not mandatory, a few years of experience may help you to be ahead in the competition.

5.  Passport & Student Visa

A student visa is a must to get admission to study any type of degree program in USA for international students. A copy of your passport is also required for applying for a student visa. Make sure you can apply for your US Student Visa at least three months prior to the date of travel.

Read: Know About DS-160 Form

Documents Required For Software Engineering in USA

Apart from eligibility to study software engineering in USA, there are some essential documents you need in the submission process. Here is a list of documents you first gather before submitting your application form:

1. Official high school transcripts
2. Educational certificates
3. Language test scores
4. GRE or GMAT scorecards
5. Personal Essay
6. Statement of purpose
7. Letter of recommendation
8. Resume or CV
9. Work experience certificate
10. Proof of your financial resources
11. Copy of your passport

Read: Masters in USA Guide

Admission Process for Software Engineering in USA

The application process for the software engineering degree in USA universities has been briefly discussed below:

1. First, make a list of some best software engineering universities in USA or you can also go through the above-mentioned ones.
2. Shortlist those universities based on their entry requirements and costs.
3. Gather all the essential documents you need to submit in the submission process.
4. Fill up the application form along with paying the fees.
5. Prepare for the interview, while some universities also conduct an entrance exam for admission to PhD in software engineering in USA.
6. Once you get the admission letter, acknowledge it by paying the depositary fees.

Read: MS in USA Admission Process

Now that you get some idea of the admission process and requirements of software engineering courses in USA. Let's now look at the costs required to pursue this course in the USA.

Cost of Studying Software Engineering in USA

The cost of studying software engineering in USA universities is determined by two factors, one is its tuition fees and the cost of studying. Both of these factors are discussed below.

Tuition Fees

Private and Public universities have different tuition fees for software engineering. Also the program fees vary with the level of your course. The average tuition fees of software engineering in USA should be ranges between

• Bachelor's: 27,000 USD to 64,000 USD
• Masters: 23,678 USD to 67,000 USD
• PhD: 24,000 USD to 54,468 USD

Cost of Living

Your living costs are also a factor of the cost of studying in USA. On an average, the living costs in the country should range between 10,000 USD to 17,000 USD per year. A major part of this expenses comes from your rent, location, food, materials, transportation etc.

Scholarships For Software Engineering in USA

There are several scholarship options for students to study software engineering in USA. It may assist the qualified students by partially or entirely covering their costs of studying. These scholarships are either offered by your respective university or some external sources. Some of the scholarships you can look for while studying in USA are given below:

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Benefits
Arizona State University Engineering Scholarships	Need based and merit based scholarship for new and continuing students with good academic standards	Amount Varies
Fulbright Scholarship	International students with good academic excellence, competitive GRE scores and three letters of recommendation.	Tuition Fees waiver
Alan Brunacini Memorial Scholarship	Full time academic students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 86% score.	Upto 3,000 USD
AAUW International Fellowships	Women graduate students pursuing in US universities	20,000 USD
OPEC Fund for International Development Scholarship	Bachelor degree students belonging to a developing country and enrolled into a relevant field of development.	Varies

Read: Scholarships in USA for International Students

Career Opportunities After Software Engineering in USA

The scope of software engineering in USA is immense, with the options for a variety of job roles. These jobs pay well and also have promising careers in the future. Some of the graduates also go for higher education in this field.

Here are some of the job profiles of software engineering graduates in USA along with their average salaries

Job Profile	Average Salary
Software Engineer	80,000 USD
Software Analyst	73,512 USD
Application Developer	77,669 USD
Computer and Information Systems Manager	86,216 USD
Information Technology Consultant	60,863 USD
Cybersecurity Analyst	70,078 USD

Read: Part-Time Jobs in USA

Pursuing any software engineering programs in the US can be quite fruitful. The US offers great returns on investment along with a top-notch education and infrastructure. After completing the degree, you will have well-paying employment opportunities. So if you are looking forward to pursuing software engineering in the USA and need any assistance in its application process or picking a top university, do connect with our Yocket Professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Software Engineering in USA

Ques. What is the GPA score required for software engineering in USA?

Ans. Some of universities require a GPA of 2.5 or more, while the best software engineering colleges in USA may ask for at least a 3.5 GPA score. As a result, a GPA of 3.0 will be best for the course.

Ques. What is the overall cost of a bachelor in software engineering in USA?

Ans. The overall costs of a bachelor in software engineering in USA is around 27,000 USD per year.

Ques. How long is a software engineering degree in USA?

Ans. The length of software engineering in USA depends on the level of programs. The length of bachelor degree is upto 4 years whereas for masters it is between 12 to 24 months.

Ques. Is the GRE mandate for software engineering in USA?

Ans.  No, the GRE test scores is not mandatory to get admission to the software engineering programs in USA. Some universities asks for the scores to get admission in masters or PhD degree.

Ques. What is the average salary after completing software engineering in USA?

Ans. The average salary of a graduate of software engineering in USA is around 70,000 USD per annum.