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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student-teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s degree in software engineering but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in software engineering programs.

What institution did we omit from this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.

1. Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL

Originally established in 1948 to train space sector workers at the nearby Kennedy Space Center, Florida Institute of Technology is a research institution. Florida Tech’s College of Engineering and Computing has a master of science in software engineering that provides the knowledge needed to manage the development and evolution of software. Learners graduate from this degree program with a holistic background in mathematics, computer science, and computer organization. Classes include software engineering, software testing, and software metrics and modeling.

Florida Tech’s MS in software engineering is a 30-credit degree program that couples classroom learning with fieldwork that simulates the challenges learners will encounter on the job. This degree program is intended for people with a background in software engineering, computer science, or a related discipline. The classes assume a technical bachelor’s degree and substantial programming experience.

2. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University is a top-rated private research institution, which is home to a prominent School of Engineering that is rated in the Top 5 nationally.

Carnegie Mellon’s School of Engineering has a master of science in software engineering, which is built on a challenging foundational curriculum in which learners produce practical, cost-effective solutions under real-world constraints. The degree program boasts special strengths in software architecture and software project management. Classes include Agile software development frameworks, system architectures for managers, and analysis of software artifacts.

Carnegie Mellon’s MS in software engineering degree program is a 16-month degree program with three traditional semesters and one highly focused summer session. The MSE degree program is open to practicing software developers who have at least two years’ experience in the field. Learners can finish the course either full-time (16 months) or part-time (in an adaptable, multi-year plan).

3. Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Auburn University is the second-largest public research institution in the state of Alabama; the school is rated among the top 50 public schools in the United States. Auburn’s Ginn College of Engineering has both a non-thesis master of software engineering (MSwE) or a research-oriented master of science. Built on a solid foundational curriculum, this software engineering degree program will help learner discover their research interests. Learners can also take advantage of fellowships and real-world applications for a successful graduate experience. Classes include application development, object-oriented technologies, and software processes.

Auburn’s MS in software engineering degree program requires 30 credits, while the MSwE (non-thesis) degree program requires 33 credits. To enter either degree program, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with experience in areas of computer science and/or software engineering. (Learners without sufficient experience may be accepted to the degree program but will need to take extra classes.)

4. Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University is a public research institution with a vibrant campus culture. With learner-centered programs and state-of-the-art instructional technology, the school is home to nationally rated engineering programs.

The College of Computing and Software Engineering has a master of science in software engineering. Learners select between a thesis or project choice, and the degree program can be finished either online, face-to-face, or in a blended format. Core classes include the study of requirements engineering, software project planning and management, and software architecture. Kennesaw State’s MS in software engineering is made of seven core classes, three electives, and either a thesis or capstone project. For people without a background in computer science, several foundation classes provide the skills needed to finish the degree.

5. Boston University, Boston, MA

Boston University is one of the largest private research institutions in the country. The school continually is rated among the top national institutions and is home to several highly rated graduate schools. Boston University’s Metropolitan College has an outstanding master of science in software development that prepares learners with the knowledge and hands-on training to develop software solutions to real-life problems. Faculty are sector leaders in the IT field and world-class teachers. Classes include the study of information systems with Python, data structures and algorithms, and Agile software development.

BU’s MS in software development degree program is a 32-credit degree program that learners can finish in 16 to 24 months. The degree program is open to learners with no technology experience—learners from all backgrounds are welcome to apply. This is a great degree program for learners who are planning to continue working as they study. Classes are available in the evenings and online through BU’s Metropolitan College.

6. Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) is a research-intensive private institution and one of the oldest technological institutions in the US. SIT’s School of Systems and Enterprises has a master of science in software engineering that will prepare learners in all aspects of software creation. The degree program couples a core in SE principles and practices with application to real-world challenges. This is a rigorous project- and team-based degree program that exceeds the IEEE/ACM software engineering curriculum standards. Classes include the study of the fundamentals of software engineering, software architecture and component-based design, and software engineering studio.

SIT’s 30-credit master’s in software engineering consists of eight required classes and two electives. Learners from varied backgrounds are welcomed to the degree program. And the degree program has an adaptable delivery format—learners can select from on-site (day or evening) or online formats.

7. DePaul University, Chicago, IL

DePaul University has a deep commitment to providing a first-class education to people from diverse backgrounds. DePaul is rated among the top 120 institutions nationally and is home to a pioneering College of Computing and Digital Media. This master of science in software engineering offers learners with commonly applicable and in-demand skills.  Learners will be introduced to processes, tactics, methods, and tools for cost-effectively developing first-class software systems.  Learners select from four concentrations: entrepreneurship and technology leadership, real-time game systems, software architecture, and software development.

This MS in software engineering is a 52-credit degree program, comprised of required core and concentration classes, and electives.  The degree program is open to learners with a bachelor’s degree in any academic field. For people without a background in computing, the school offers a series of introductory classes to catch learner up to speed.

8. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

The University of Southern California is a research institution, known as an international hub for arts, technology, and international trade, and is rated among the top 25 national institutions in the US.

USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering has a master of science in software engineering that consists of experience in real-client class projects. The degree program offers skills in software development, as well as systems engineering, customer collaboration, and management skills. Classes include the study of analysis of algorithms, foundations of artificial intelligence, and web technologies. This MS in software engineering is a 32-credit degree program, which can include an internship and thesis. This degree program is great for people wanting an industrial leadership career in software engineering.

9. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

East Carolina University is home to several highly rated programs and a School of Engineering and Technology that offers pioneering, sector-recognized programs to a diverse learner body.

ECU has a master of science in software engineering, which blends computer science with software engineering. Learners will design, develop, and test software systems; the curriculum focuses on theory and application. Learners select from three concentrations: software design and development, software project management and quality assurance, and software testing.

This MS in software engineering is a 30-credit degree program (nine credits of which are electives). ECU prefers that candidates have a bachelor’s degree in a computing-related discipline. But, learners from other subjects or candidates with limited technical expertise are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

10. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University is a private institution with a reputation for being a pioneering technological institution. The university was the first to have a completely wireless campus, and its cooperative education degree program enables learners to graduate with extensive work experience.

Drexel’s College of Computing and Informatics has a master of science in software engineering, which prepares learners to become software engineers in a wide variety of industries. The curriculum blends practice and theory to provide a solid comprehension of the fundamentals of software systems. Classes include the study of software design, requirements engineering and management, and software reliability and testing.

This MS in software engineering degree is a 45-credit degree program comprised of seven required classes and several electives, including a capstone project. This is an adaptable degree program that leaners can finish on a part-time or full-time basis and either on-campus or online.

11. Arizona State University-Tempe, Tempe, AZ

ASU has a master of science in software engineering. The degree program will teach leaners to apply engineering principles to software development while developing both professional and research skills. Learners will become familiar with design tactics, operation principles, and maintenance and testing approaches. Classes include advanced-data structures and algorithm analysis, emerging language and programming paradigms, and software enterprise: inception and elaboration. ASU’s MS in software engineering is a reasonably priced, 30-credit degree program that consists of a capstone course, a project course, and a thesis.

12. Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO

CTU has a master of science in computer engineering with a concentration in software engineering. The degree program builds on the computer science core while providing focused knowledge for people interested in software engineering. Learners will become proficient in the organization and control of software development and the use of sector-recognized software engineering methods. Classes include design and analysis of algorithms, modern operating systems, and computer networking.

CTU’s software engineering degree program is comprised of 48-credits of required coursework.  The degree program is available both on campus in Colorado Springs and online, and CTU has multiple start dates for classes.

13. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern’s College of Engineering and Computing has a master of science in software engineering. The degree program blends practice and theory to give a thorough knowledge of the field and a foundation for future growth. Learners focus on the foundations of software engineering, including areas such as requirements, design, development, testing, human-computer interaction, and project management.  Classes include software requirements engineering, object-oriented design, and interaction design.

This MS in software engineering is a 36-credit degree program comprised of six core classes and six electives. Learners can finish the degree program on campus or online. Full-time learners earn the degree in 12 months, or they can finish it on a part-time basis.

14. Mercer University, Macon, GA

Mercer’s School of Engineering has a master of science in software engineering. Students learn breadth and depth in methods for defining, analyzing, and solving complex problems. This is a hands-on degree program in which, for example, learners will conduct a software development or maintenance project across its entire life cycle. This includes, among other concepts: Requirements analysis, object-oriented design, and object-oriented programming.

15. University of Alabama at Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

One of the newer institutions on this rating, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, is a public research institution that was established in 1950. The nationally rated school is a member of the University of Alabama System and is home to an engineering school that is rated among the top 100 nationally.

This master of science in software engineering is offered via the College of Engineering and the Computer Science Department in the College of Science. Learners can tailor the degree to their professional aspirations by choosing from six concentrations. And learners benefit from hands-on experience through laboratory research, internships, and co-op positions. Core Classes consist of object-oriented design, analysis of algorithms, and software engineering process.

This MS in software engineering is a 32-credit degree program divided between core and concentration coursework and electives. Learners also select between a thesis and a non-thesis choice, which consists of a capstone project.