<p>Which one is better in the following areas:</p>
<p>Potential salary
Interesting-ness (I want tangible pleasure from my work usually)
Difficulty</p>
<p>and last but not the least</p>
<p>job security</p>
<p>I hear about programming jobs being moved away and all that, so thats the question.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Potential salary - I think this one is a toss-up. Software Engineering is a very high paying job, and you may work as one out of Computer Science; However, you can often get hired for Software Engineering positions in Computer Engineering, and with Computer Engineering you could choose to become a Hardware Engineer. I've seen the salaries between what companies offer Software and Hardware Engineers all over the place, and I wouldn't be the person to ask would be higher.</p>
<p>Interesting-ness - In my opinion (but I'm biased cause this is my field), Computer Engineering is really broad and you study a lot of different topics including Digital Systems, Embedded Systems, Signals and Systems, Analog Circuitry, Communications, etc., so it is more interesting. Computer Science is interesting if you like doing a lot of coding and algorithm-related things.</p>
<p>Difficulty - Computer and Electrical Engineering programs are often considered to be the most intense, but as long as you keep with the material (keeping confusing material aside until the last minute makes concepts snowball in a sadistic manner) and as long as you can handle the math you will be fine. Some of the complicated algorithmic stuff in Computer Science can be really difficult and tedious, so personally I think Computer Engineering is easier in that sense.</p>
<p>Job Security - I wouldn't really about this in either field, but there are non-programming opportunities in both majors, and definitely in Computer Engineering.</p>
<p>Salary should be good for either one... comparably good.</p>
<p>As far as how interesting the material is, it depends on whether you prefer the methodology inherent in mathematics or science. If you're a math whiz, you will find CS more interesting than CE. If you find science - particularly physics - more interesting, CE will be more interesting to you. I find CS infinitely more interesting, personally, but there youn go.</p>
<p>As far as difficulty is concerned, see above. Both can be creative, both can be tedious, and it depends on your likes and dislikes which one would be more work.</p>
<p>Work is good in both fields, don't kid yourself. Offshoring isn't killing the computer industry, don't be fooled.</p>
<p>"If you're a math whiz, you will find CS more interesting than CE."</p>
<p>That kind of depends on what type of math you're into, in my opinion. If you're into the Diff.Eq type of thing, Computer Engineering may be more interesting. CS seems to apply mathematics skills such as Abstract Math more. A bit of Linear Algebra is in both.</p>
<p>Take your pick.</p>