<p>Does a computer engineering degree cover everything a computer science degree covers and more? Excuse my ignorance, but it certainly seems like that is the case. I have been looking at job posting in the information technology and software development field, and the education requirements ask for a CS degree or a CE degree. Would it it be better for me to go for the engineering degree since it offers me more versatility and a greater chance of finding employment. I say this because with an engineering degree, I could also work designing hardware which increases the number of jobs I could apply to. However, I do prefer working on software. All things being equal, would I be at a disadvantage if I applied to a software development job with a CE degree? What does a CS degree have that a CE degree does not? I know that a CS degree focuses on software, but I am not really sure if that focus is worth giving up learning how to design hardware. I really don't mind taking more math and science classes.</p>
<p>In the places where I have worked a CE and CS degree are treated equally. Either is an acceptable credential for applying and your salary isnt based on your job, not your degree, so they are virtually identical from a credentialing standpoint. </p>
<p>I think your decision should be more about what you want and are adept at.</p>
<p>CompE is a pretty narrow degree, unlike EE or CS which have many subfields, CompE is already a subfield of EE + some CS classes. If you do CompE you will miss out some some CS courses, most likely courses on theory and algorithms, in addition to extra CS electives. If you major in CompE you have to take extra hardware, EE, and Physics courses that could be completely irrelevant to software engineering or whatever you do with the degree.</p>
<p>If you know you want to work with software and not hardware you should major in Computer Science. The good CS programs out there will still teach you about hardware at a practical level for software jobs, just not enough to design hardware. By doing CompE you could be at a disadvantage because instead of taking extra courses in algorithms, networks, AI, etc. you had to take classes on circuits, E&M, and semiconductors.</p>
<p>Both degrees are extremely versatile and if you made the best of each degree you will end up in the same place regardless. Just decide whether or not you want to learn about hardware and EE in addition to taking CS classes, or if you want to take extra CS classes and have a better understanding of the theory.</p>
<p>There is simply so much to learn in CS that you won’t be be able to cover every field with a BS. If you want to narrow your opportunities to explore areas in CS even more by focusing on hardware major in CompE, otherwise do CS.</p>
<p>There are a lot more CS (software) jobs than CE (hardware) jobs.</p>