Computer Science

Software Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Combine your passions for computer science and problem-solving with a bachelor's degree in software engineering from Michigan Tech. Take what you're learning in the classroom into co-ops, internships, and our one-of-a-kind Enterprise program to deepen your knowledge and be career-ready.

At Tech, you'll learn in a team-based environment that's modeled after real working spaces and led by faculty who are experts in their field and dedicated to your success. Benefit from frequent office hours, one-on-one advising, research mentorship, and more. Our software engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, ensuring the program meets rigorous standards and produces skilled graduates that employers are looking for.

Software engineering is the branch of computer science that deals with the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. Software engineers apply engineering principles and knowledge of programming languages to build software solutions for end users. They work in systems used to control technologies for automobiles, aviation, robotics, defense, toys, biomedical instrumentation, and more.

What Will I Study?

During your first two years at Tech, you'll gain a solid foundation in computer science. Then, in your final two years, you'll specialize in software engineering, focusing on the practical, technical, and security sides of software. There's plenty of hands-on work, lab time, collaboration, and team building. Course topics include:

  • Design
  • Reliability
  • Quality
  • Usability
  • Modeling and analysis
  • Requirements and testing
  • Cost effectiveness
  • Teamwork and management
  • Domain knowledge of an application area

See software engineering degree requirements for more course information.

  • No. 2
    best return on investment (ROI) of public colleges in Michigan
  • Top 10
    best bachelor's programs for software engineering
  • No. 4
    best software engineering degrees in the nation

Tomorrow Needs Software Engineers.

Software engineering is one of the best-paid careers out there. The mean entry-level salary for a Software Developer is $68,973 (Payscale) with a mean annual wage of $144,570 (BLS) and the top 10 percent making $211,450 (BLS). And the career outlook for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average.

See additional computing salary information.

Career Opportunities

MTU software engineering graduates choose to work in a variety of fields and industries developing and testing computer games, business applications, operating systems, network control systems, and more. Professional positions held by recent graduates include:

  • Programmer/Analyst
  • Scientific Programmer
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Quality Engineer
  • Program Manager
  • Project Leader
  • Quality Assurance Coordinator
  • Senior Computer Applications Engineer
  • Senior Software Engineer
  • Senior Systems Analyst

Great Jobs, Great Employers

Each year, more than 400 employers come to campus to recruit Huskies at our Career Fairs. Our grads go on to work at Fortune 500 companies, tech start-ups, small businesses, and everything in between. Some of the companies that employ Michigan Tech software engineering graduates include:

  • American Express
  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • Boeing
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Burlington North Santa Fe Corporation
  • Citizens Bank
  • Cray Research
  • Eastman Kodak
  • Epic
  • General Electric
  • Google
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Microsoft
  • Motorola
  • Orbitz.com
  • SBC Telecommunications Inc.
  • Texas Instruments
  • US Air Force

Enterprise, Only at Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech Enterprises are student-run business teams providing end-to-end original product development through real-world experiences in engineering design, team building, and project management. Enterprise teams work under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students from across campus participate in Enterprise program teams. 

  • Students in the Husky Game Development Enterprise design and develop games for business, education, and fun. Earn credit, gain experience, and build your resume, all while creating quality software that will attract and satisfy industry sponsors. Who says you can’t work and play?
  • Humane Interface Design Enterprise (HIDE) students design, develop, and evaluate human-centered computer interfaces to make daily work more efficient and easier to manage. 
  • IT Oxygen Enterprise students—from numerous majors—provide Information Technology help to both student organizations and businesses, working on real projects for real companies that foster skills in development, problem-solving, and business.

"One of my favorite things about the College of Computing is the number of opportunities there are to find your niche and go out and explore. I've attended conferences and learned all sorts of technologies that I don't think I would have had the chance to do elsewhere."

Marie Zgurich '22 BS in Software Engineering
Marie Zgurich '22
Software Engineer, BS Software Engineering

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about earning a software engineering bachelor's degree at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Watch My Michigan Tech: Olivia Klevorn video
Preview image for My Michigan Tech: Olivia Klevorn video
"I found that I am really happy here. I love it here at Michigan Tech."
Olivia Klevorn '27, software engineering

In Michigan Tech’s Department of Computer Science, we pioneer the future. Our students learn to think deeply at the computational level, where the technological evolution is happening. Our peer mentoring programs, access to friendly faculty, and research collaborations across our R1 institution give Computing Huskies the support of a vibrant campus and industry network. Claim your place at the head of the pack and be part of the transformation as AI and the next big things on the horizon change the world.

In the Computer Science Department at Tech you can:

  • Pilot human-robotics interactions and walk Balto, the robot dog greeter in our robotics lab
  • Mentor fellow Huskies—or get the help you need in our one-of-a-kind Student Academic Mentors (SAM) program
  • Tap into the leading-edge research and continuous development opportunities in Michigan Tech’s Center for Artificial Intelligence
  • Hang out in the Rekhi Round Lounge or our faculty-student lounge and get to know your fellow Huskies from across campus
  • Do game-centric research for early Alzheimer’s detection and other life-changing projects in Tech’s new H-STEM complex, which is devoted to cross-disciplinary health research
  • Pursue a minor in computer science, cybersecurity, or data acquisition and controls to level up what you bring to the table

MTU engineering

Tomorrow won’t wait. Neither will we.

Computing is for everyone, everywhere. Artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, and other forms of digital connectivity are ingrained in nearly every aspect of life. Cybersecurity has never been more important. These transformational technologies require intrepid problem solvers, bold leaders, and fearless visionaries. You can be one of them.

Founded in 2019, we’re one of the first colleges in the nation and one of the few institutions of its kind to focus solely on computing. Digital transformation has morphed every discipline into a computing discipline, reinventing industries like manufacturing, criminal justice, marketing, and health care. The College of Computing is making sure that employers have the computing talent they need to thrive—and that our students are equipped for fulfilling careers now and for tomorrows to come.

The world needs Computing[MTU]. The world needs you.

Supercharge your future.

Study, do research, and build a future-forward career at a flagship R1 public research university powered by STEM. Get the theoretical knowledge and practical experience you need to succeed in a high-tech world.

Our students work alongside faculty on meaningful research, like helping to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier and making machine learning more user-friendly. They connect at the intersection of engineering and computing in our mechatronics playground. They teach middle school kids coding and cybersecurity basics, assist older generations with digital literacy essentials, and help each other persist through academic and life challenges through SAM, our unique peer mentoring program. Computing Huskies also partner with national entities like the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency as well as local businesses to analyze security and safeguard sensitive data. And, from robotics to Red Teaming, Huskies train, run, and win national competitions.

Whether competing in Esports, joining an Enterprise team, or working with a group of Huskies to build a robot in three days is your jam, you’ll find opportunities to connect with what clicks. And when it’s time to blow off steam, the Keweenaw Peninsula’s trails, forests, and Lake Superior beaches await, along with Michigan Tech’s Mont Ripley Ski Hill.

When it comes to preparing for life after graduation, our Career Fair offers more than a one-day event—it’s a series of workshops and meetups that leads to coops, internships, and full-time, well-paying positions. If you want to be ready for what tomorrow needs, your future starts now, in the Michigan Tech College of Computing.

College of Computing Undergraduate Majors

Not sure which major is the right fit? Explore Michigan Tech majors and minors.
Or, start with our General Computing program and give yourself time to decide.

Computing News

"Michigan Tech is an amazing school with great people, and the College of Computing has equally amazing programs with even more amazing and friendly people."

Josh Kozlowski, Software Engineering BS, 1st Year
Josh Kozlowski '26,
BS software engineering