Software Engineering Master’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

To get ahead in your tech career you might consider gaining a Master’s Degree in software Engineering. These degrees prove you’re an expert in this field, making you more desirable to tech giants and groundbreaking companies across a variety of industries.

You can choose various options to earn your software engineering master’s degree. Some schools offer a thesis and non-thesis option, while others also allow self-paced learning. This article features the best software engineering master’s degrees for in-person and remote studying, as well as the top careers for this degree, their salaries, and more.

What Is Software Engineering?

Software engineering is a field within computer science. Professionals in software engineering use computer science techniques and programming languages to develop software applications and products. They will also design and test software products to ensure they fulfill business requirements.

What Is a Software Engineering Master’s Degree?

A

Master’s Degree

in Software Engineering is a two-year degree that tests your professional experience in this field. This degree program is ideal if you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree or have years of experience in software development. Master’s degrees teach students specialized knowledge in a wide variety of crucial software engineering techniques.

You’ll also find online master’s degree programs to study software engineering. Some schools may offer part-time and full-time learning options too. Plus, prospective students can also complete this graduate program while accessing resources like career support and tutoring.

Software Engineering Master’s Degree Requirements

In order to become a graduate student, a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering or a related field is usually required. Some schools may also accept extensive experience in the industry, and many will have additional requirements for incoming students.

Your bachelor’s degree GPA must be 3.0 or higher, and you’ll have to submit your official transcript to prove this. Some schools for software engineering also require GRE test scores. If you don’t fulfill all the admission requirements, many programs offer foundational courses to help you brush up your technical skills.

How Much Does a Software Engineering Master’s Degree Cost?

According to the National Center For Education Statistics,

a master’s degree from a public school costs

about $12,171 per annum. If you opt for a private school, you’ll pay around $25,929 annually.

Software Engineering Master’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Master’s Degree

There are multiple financing options for a software engineering master’s degree. These options include scholarships, private loans, federal loans, and GI Bill benefits. It’s best to check with the school you want to attend to learn more about the available finance options.

Best Software Engineering Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Software Engineering: Top Software Engineering Master’s Degree Programs

Many reputable universities offer in-person software engineering programs. These on-campus programs are ideal if you want face-to-face learning and the experience of campus life. Here are the best in-person master’s degrees for software engineering.

Master of Science – Computer Science and Software Engineering | Auburn University

Studying this master’s degree, you can choose a thesis or non-thesis option. Your core courses include advanced algorithms, operating systems, computer architecture, and research. Auburn University offers tutoring, career support, scholarships, and student clubs.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | DePaul University

You’ll learn a wide range of skills and practices in this degree program, like emerging technologies, software design, software solutions, and software applications. Students will join a team-oriented learning environment and hone their communication and critical thinking skills. This university offers tutoring, advising, and career services.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Drexel University

Drexel University offers this program so you can learn software engineering principles while having the option to pursue a dual degree. One of the core courses in this program is a hands-on capstone project, and students can also tailor what they study to their career ambitions. Drexel University welcomes part-time and full-time students.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Degree students can pick a thesis or non-thesis option for this degree, and have access to several elective courses. The core courses teach you software project management, software engineering trends, security assessment, engineering and assurance, and architecture.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Florida Institute of Technology

In this software engineering program, you’ll learn software testing, software design, software maintenance, and computer security. Concepts like quality assurance, problem-solving, and communication also play a critical role in this program. You can expect tons of events at this campus, art and culture, and student organizations.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | New Jersey Institute of Technology

Your core courses for this program include a capstone project, software architecture, project management, software design, and quality assurance. Some elective courses are Java programming, data mining, systems analysis, project management, and machine learning.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Rochester Institute of Technology

Students can complete a thesis or capstone option for this degree, and

learn software architecture

, quality assurance, and many more techniques. There are foundational courses available to aid any skills gaps you might have. On-campus students can join student clubs, benefit from student wellness programs, and leverage career support.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Stevens Institute of Technology

This degree program covers agile methods for software engineering, software maintenance, testing and quality assurance, and a capstone project. You have to pick three elective courses in addition to the seven core courses. You’ll find a career center on campus, along with arts and culture, and athletics.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Stratford University

Within 15 months, you can earn your master’s degree from this program. The core requirements will teach you software modeling, project management, database systems technology, and you will complete a capstone project. Stratford University provides career development support, student services like tutoring, and support for military members.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | The University of Texas at Dallas

Gaining skills in critical thinking, project management, computing techniques, and software engineering practices is what this program entails. You’ll study for over 20 months and complete five common courses and six electives. Resources available at the University of Texas at Dallas include financial aid, a career center, athletics, and student clubs.

Best Online Software Engineering Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Software Engineering: Top Online Software Engineering Master’s Degree Programs

Studying online has a range of benefits that in-person studying doesn’t offer. You have flexibility, no on-campus living costs, and the ability to learn anywhere. These are the top online software engineering master’s degrees.

Master of Science in Engineering in Software Engineering | Arizona State University

The online courses in this degree program cover quality assurance, information assurance, and security and software validation. Degree students must also complete a capstone project and an applied project. Arizona University provides remote tutoring, study abroad opportunities, career support, and counseling.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | East Carolina University

Although this degree program is available on campus, you’ll receive the same quality of education through remote learning. The online degree program dives into object-oriented programming, coding languages, and project management tools. There are also scholarships available to study at this university.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Grand Canyon University

If you’ve completed an undergraduate software engineering degree, this program will help you gain advanced knowledge. The course content covers Java, programming, data structures and algorithms, and geometry. You’ll find scholarships available, virtual tutoring services, and career support services.

Master of Software Engineering | Kansas State University

Consisting of 33 credit hours, this program can help you can

learn data mining

, computer graphics, bioinformatics, and distributed systems to advance your career aspirations. You’ll never have to complete any on-campus coursework, and there are financial aid options available. These options include scholarships, federal grants, and GI Bill benefits.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Kennesaw State University

Computing graduates may have to complete one or two extra courses depending on their qualifications. If you don’t have an undergraduate degree in tech, Kennesaw State University will assign you several prerequisite courses to help you prepare. You’ll complete 30 credit hours, and you can opt for financial aid.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Regis University

From this program, you’ll study Java, HTML, CSS, and software testing and quality assurance. You’ll also study content on desktop and mobile application development. Regis University allows degree students to learn at their desired pace, but it usually takes around 12 to 24 months to earn this master’s degree.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Texas Tech University

The admission requirements for this program include a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Students will learn about complex software engineering systems and industry-proven software testing and quality assurance practices to prepare them for

software engineering

careers. There is remote tutoring available for online learners.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | University of Houston-Clear Lake

For this software engineering master’s degree, prepare to study software architecture, software engineering life cycle, and software processes. Students master advanced concepts of software engineering. The entire program comprises 30 credit hours, and you can earn your degree within 15 months. This program isn’t self-paced, but it offers more flexibility than most.

Master in Information Technology – Software Engineering Specialization | University of Maryland Global Campus

This degree program offers a software engineering specialization, consisting of 36 credit hours. Gaining hands-on experience, you’ll cover concepts like software testing, computer systems architecture, and information systems design. You can fund your program through federal grants, scholarships, GI Bill benefits, or monthly payments.

Master of Science in Software Engineering | Washington State University

You can opt for full-time or part-time study for this degree program that will prepare you for a career in software engineering. There are three core courses, covering software design and architecture, advanced algorithms, and software requirements. This university provides remote student resources, like tutoring, library services, advising, and career counseling.

What’s the Average Software Engineering Master’s Degree Salary?

Based on Payscale’s data, the

average annual salary for a software engineer

with a master’s degree is about $109,000. With experience and certifications, you can increase this median salary.

Top Software Engineering Master’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Computer and Information Systems Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $151,150
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  11%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  482,000
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, New York, New Jersey

Computer and information systems managers oversee all computer-related operations in a business. These professionals must coordinate the development and technical teams to ensure they are fulfilling the defined requirements.

Software Architect

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $141,927
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  5%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  165,200
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Massachusetts, California, Virginia

Software architects lead development projects and work among software development and engineering teams. They must evaluate and identify software solutions and document software applications throughout the software engineering life cycle.

Senior Software Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $113,400
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  22%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

This is one of the most popular career options for students with a software engineering master’s degree. In this senior role, you’ll oversee software engineering teams, communicate progress to stakeholders and stay ahead of software engineering technologies and trends.

Senior Java Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $112,007
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

Professionals in this career are experts at using Java and understand all its components. Your duties include designing, developing, maintaining, and debugging Java-powered software. You’ll also have to stay ahead of programming trends and create reports for stakeholders.

Software Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $110,140
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

Working in software development, you’ll complete your duties alongside software engineering professionals. These duties include designing and developing software products and applications. You’ll also need to test new software programs and maintain them.

Senior Project Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $107,057
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  11%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  482,000
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, New York, New Jersey

Senior project managers must have excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. You’ll regularly liaise with stakeholders, create reports for project updates, and oversee the relevant teams to ensure projects meet deadlines.

Senior Network Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $105,790
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  5%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  165,200
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Massachusetts, California, Virginia

Engineers in this field must design and develop an organization’s network infrastructure. Junior network staff will report to you, and you must implement efficient technologies and processes. Cyber security is a fundamental skill for this career.

Cloud Computing Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $103,800
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  5%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  165,200
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Massachusetts, California, Virginia

As a cloud computer engineer, you’ll develop policies for cloud usage, implement network security, and implement new technology. It’s essential to have superb programming skills for this job, as well as a broad understanding of cloud infrastructure.

Senior Network Architect

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $103,700
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  5%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  165,200
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Massachusetts, California, Virginia

If you want to work as a senior network architect, you’ll have to manage the entire network security journey. This involves configuring network security, maintaining this infrastructure, and performing troubleshooting to solve errors.

Python Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $93,905
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

Python developers are similar to Java developers, but professionals must be experts with

Python

and everything about it. You’ll work on Python projects, create software driven by Python and troubleshoot development issues.

*These statistics are grouped under computer and information systems managers on BLS

**These statistics are grouped under computer network architects on BLS

***These statistics are grouped under software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers on BLS

Software Engineering Bootcamp vs. Software Engineering Master’s Degree: Which Is Better?

Software engineering bootcamp programs work for those who want to become skilled in less time. Master’s degrees are better for senior positions and comprehensive knowledge. Learn more about the benefits of a software engineering bootcamp versus a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering below.

Benefits of a Software Engineering Master’s Degree

• 
  Work toward a PhD.
  
  After your master’s degree, you can go on to earn a PhD. A doctoral degree is the most prestigious educational qualification.
• 
  More career opportunities.
  
  Your chances of being hired as a master’s degree graduate are much higher than with lower-level degree qualifications. You won’t have to spend months searching for a job.
• 
  Work in senior roles.
  
  Having a master’s degree proves you know the industry and relevant skills front to back. As a result, working in leadership roles at world-class companies is possible.
• 
  Gain an accredited qualification.
  
  Having an accredited qualification on your resume confirms the quality of your education.
• 
  Networking opportunities.
  
  Degree programs are a great place to meet other professionals in the field who can help you further your career down the road.

Benefits of a Software Engineering Bootcamp

• 
  Learn the skills you need.
  
  In contrast to advanced degrees, software engineering bootcamps teach you career-specific skills. This could work well if you already know what job would be a good career fit for you.
• 
  Pay less than a degree.
  
  Bootcamp programs are much cheaper than degrees, and often have a wide range of financial aid opportunities. Prospective students also don’t have to worry about living costs and additional costs like transportation for most bootcamps.
• 
  Rely on career support.
  
  Most bootcamps offer career support to recent graduates. This support will often include job interview prep, resume building, career counseling, internship opportunities, and more.
• 
  More flexible learning.
  
  Bootcamp programs often keep working professionals in mind and offer flexible learning. Students study at their desired pace, giving them the freedom to work around their busy schedules.
• 
  Quicker graduation.
  
  A software engineering bootcamp program is usually quicker than a master’s degree. Bootcamps are designed to be short and intensive, and often provide foundation courses to remain accessible to learners at every level.

Should You Get a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering?

Yes, you should get a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering, as this level of education means senior jobs at world-class companies and a competitive salary. While it is very possible to work in this field with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree can help you stay a step ahead of the competition for senior roles.

There are countless degree program options to suit your lifestyle. Prospective students can study in-person, online, part-time, or full-time. If you have extensive experience in software engineering or an undergraduate degree, you can get your master’s degree.

Software Engineering Master’s Degree FAQ