Computer Science or Software Engineering?
Both lead to the same BLS occupation, software developer, so pay and job numbers are the same. Computer science is broader and more theoretical (algorithms, systems, math) and is offered by far more colleges; software engineering puts design, testing and team projects first.
Both · median pay$135,980Software developers (same BLS job)
Both · jobs1,905,40010% growth, 2025–35
Computer Science · colleges986awarded it in 2023-24
Software Engineering · colleges129awarded it in 2023-24
Side by side
Rows that are the same for both are shown once.
| Computer Science | Software Engineering | |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | The study of algorithms, software and computing systems. It leads to several jobs, not one: software developer, security analyst, data scientist and researcher. | Applying engineering discipline — requirements, design, testing and maintenance — to software people rely on. Graduates design, build, test and improve applications and systems. |
| What you study | Programming, algorithms and data structures, computer architecture, operating systems, databases, networks, discrete math, calculus, linear algebra and electives such as AI, security or graphics. | Programming, software design and architecture, testing and quality, requirements, databases, project management and team-based capstone projects, alongside core computer science. |
| College program | Computer science (CIP 11.0701) | Computer software engineering (CIP 14.0903) |
| Colleges that awarded it (2023-24) | 986 colleges · 44,627 bachelor's degrees | 129 colleges · 2,585 bachelor's degrees |
| Main job (BLS) | Both: Software developers | |
| Median pay (May 2025) | Both: $135,980 | |
| Jobs and growth (2025–35) | Both: 1,905,400 jobs · 10% growth (much faster than average) | |
| Other jobs it leads to | Computer systems analysts, Information security analysts, Data scientists, Computer and information research scientists | Software quality assurance analysts and testers, Web developers, Database administrators and architects |
| License | Both: No state license | |
| Accreditation to look for | Both: ABET (program) | |
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; jobs and growth: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; colleges: NCES IPEDS 2023-24 (first majors). BLS has no separate 'software engineer' occupation; software engineers are counted as software developers.
BLS
Occupational Outlook HandbookU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
NCES IPEDS
IPEDS Completions, 2023-24 (complete data file C2024_A)National Center for Education Statistics
- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
Explore each one
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Checked 8 Oct 2026. All comparisons · How Margdarshan sources its data →