Computer Science or Computer Engineering?

[Jared Russell]

I had to make this choice about six years ago, and I chose CE. Why? A few reasons.

1) I was unsure about whether I'd enjoy working with software or hardware more. With CE, there's a roughly equal balance of the two at first (and in the later years of the degree, you can choose your electives around what you have discovered to be your preference). Even though I am now a professional software engineer, I feel like my hardware experience has strengthened my math background and made me a better and more well-rounded software guy.

2) A CE degree is somewhat more versatile than a CS degree. Many of the job postings that look for CS degrees will also consider CE degrees; however, CEs also have access to many traditional EE opportunities.

3) At my school (RIT), CE was a part of the College of Engineering. CS was not (it was in its own college along with other IT programs). There were some advantages to being part of Engineering (multi-disciplinary projects, a more applied philosophy) that I felt were advantageous.