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Computer Science vs Software Engineering Degrees: What's the Difference?
Key takeaway: Computer science is the broader degree, covering the theory of computation, algorithms, and how software and hardware work at a fundamental level. Software engineering focuses on the process of building software: requirements, design, testing, and maintaining large systems over time. Both lead to software jobs, and many schools offer software engineering as a concentration inside a computer science degree rather than as a separate major.
If you want to build software for a living, you will run into both of these degree names. They overlap a lot, and job postings often accept either one. The real differences show up in what you study, how many schools offer each option, and how each degree frames the work of writing code.
This page compares the two degrees side by side so you can decide which framing fits your goals.
| Feature | Computer Science | Software Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Theory of computation, algorithms, and broad computing foundations | Engineering process for building and maintaining software systems |
| Typical coursework | Data structures, algorithms, operating systems, programming languages, discrete math | Requirements, software design, testing and quality assurance, project management, team projects |
| Degree availability | Widely offered as a standalone major at most schools | Fewer standalone majors; many schools offer it as a CS concentration |
| Career direction | Flexible: development, data, systems, research, graduate study | Aimed at professional software development and delivery roles |
| Best for | Students who want broad options and strong theory | Students who know they want to build software on teams |
Quick Answers
What is the main difference between computer science and software engineering?
Computer science studies computation broadly, including theory, algorithms, and how computers work. Software engineering applies an engineering process to building software, with more emphasis on requirements, design, testing, and the software lifecycle.
Which degree is more common at colleges?
Computer science is offered as a standalone major at far more schools. Software engineering is often available as a concentration or track within a computer science program rather than as its own major.
Can both degrees lead to a software developer job?
Yes. Employers hire software developers from both paths. What usually matters most is your coding ability, projects, internships, and how well you interview, not the exact degree name.
Do computer science and software engineering share coursework?
Usually, yes. Both typically include programming, data structures, and algorithms. Software engineering then adds more courses on process, testing, and team-based projects, while computer science goes deeper into theory and electives.
Which degree pays more?
College Scorecard reports earnings for computer science graduates, but it does not break out software engineering as a separate program, so a direct pay comparison is not possible from our dataset. Both degrees feed into the same job market.
At a Glance
- Computer science: Broad study of computation, algorithms, and theory
- Software engineering: Engineering process applied to building software systems
- Availability: CS is a common standalone major; SE is often a CS concentration
- Shared core: Both include programming, data structures, and algorithms
- Careers: Software developer, QA engineer, systems architect, DevOps roles
- Key difference: Breadth and theory (CS) vs process and lifecycle (SE)
For the full picture of the field, start with the Computer Science Program Guide.
What a computer science degree covers
Computer science is the study of computation itself. A typical program starts with programming fundamentals and then builds out in two directions: mathematical theory and practical systems.
Common areas in a computer science curriculum include:
- Programming fundamentals in one or more languages
- Data structures and algorithms
- Discrete math, and often calculus and linear algebra
- Computer organization and operating systems
- Theory of computation and programming languages
- Electives such as artificial intelligence, databases, networks, or graphics
The goal is breadth. A computer science graduate should understand why an algorithm is fast or slow, how computers behave under the hood, and how to pick up new languages quickly. That foundation supports many directions: software development, data work, security, or graduate study.
Because the degree is so common, you will find computer science programs at most universities, including many fully online options. See Online Computer Science Degree for details.
What a software engineering degree covers
Software engineering treats building software the way other engineering fields treat building bridges or circuits: as a disciplined process with defined stages. Where computer science asks “how does computation work,” software engineering asks “how do teams build large, reliable software on schedule.”
Common areas in a software engineering curriculum include:
- Programming and data structures (shared with CS)
- Requirements gathering and specification
- Software architecture and design patterns
- Testing, quality assurance, and code review practices
- The software development lifecycle and agile or iterative methods
- Team-based capstone projects that simulate real product work
The emphasis is on process and collaboration. Students typically spend more time on how software is planned, tested, and maintained, and less on theory-heavy topics like computability or advanced math. Exact coursework varies by school, so always compare actual course lists.
Fewer schools offer software engineering as its own bachelor’s degree. It is often delivered as a concentration inside a computer science program instead. Our Software Engineering Concentration guide covers that path in detail.
How the curricula differ
The two curricula usually share the same first year or two: intro programming, data structures, and algorithms. The split happens in the upper-level courses.
Computer science upper-level focus
- Theory of computation, compilers, or programming language design
- More math requirements and math-adjacent electives
- Wide elective menus (AI, graphics, networks, security, data science)
- Individual problem-solving and analysis
Software engineering upper-level focus
- Software design, architecture, and requirements courses
- Testing and quality assurance as dedicated subjects
- Project management and development methodology
- Multi-semester team projects with real deliverables
A useful mental model: computer science is a science degree about computation, and software engineering is an engineering degree about a process. If you enjoy math and want to keep every door open, CS leans your way. If you learn best by shipping projects with a team, SE leans your way.
For a course-by-course look at the CS side, see the Computer Science Curriculum guide.
Earnings and career outlook
Earnings data gives computer science a clear reporting advantage: it is a large, well-tracked program in federal data. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard tracks earnings for computer science graduates by degree level.
For bachelor’s degree graduates in computer science and closely related fields (CIP families including computer science, information technology, and information science), College Scorecard reports median earnings of $63,389 one year after graduation (984 schools reporting) and $78,628 four years after graduation (791 schools reporting). Five years out, the median reaches $89,348 (800 schools reporting). Median federal student debt for those bachelor’s graduates is $23,164 (1,028 schools reporting). Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), retrieved June 2026.
View the data behind this chart
| Degree level | Median earnings |
|---|---|
| Certificate | $43,951 |
| Associate | $41,850 |
| Bachelor's | $78,628 |
| Master's | $101,172 |
A master’s degree adds a substantial premium: computer science master’s graduates show median earnings of $101,172 four years after graduation (142 schools reporting), per the same College Scorecard data.
An honest note on software engineering data: College Scorecard does not report software engineering as a separate program. It groups software engineering under related CIP families (largely within computer science), so separate software-engineering earnings are not available in our dataset. We will not substitute a guess. Because most SE graduates compete for the same jobs as CS graduates, the CS figures above are the closest verified benchmark we can offer.
On the career side, both degrees point at the same set of roles: software developer, QA engineer, systems architect, and DevOps positions, among others. Federal wage data for those computing occupations is summarized below.
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $175,140 |
| Database Architect | $139,500 |
| Software Developer | $135,980 |
| Computer Network Architect | $134,050 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,180 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,850 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $104,000 |
Per that BLS OEWS data (May 2025 release), software developers earn a median annual wage of $135,980, and computer systems analysts earn $105,850. Job titles and pay depend far more on your role and experience than on which of these two degree names is on your diploma.
Online availability is strong for this field: 76.1% of schools with a computer science bachelor’s program offer it via distance education, per College Scorecard (retrieved June 2026).
Which is better for becoming a software developer?
Honestly, either one works. Software developer job postings typically ask for “a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.” Hiring managers care about whether you can code, reason through problems, and work with a team, and they test those skills directly in interviews.
Where the degrees can pull in different directions:
- A CS degree keeps more doors open. If you might pivot to data science, security, research, or a graduate program, the theory-heavy CS core transfers better.
- An SE program front-loads job-relevant habits. Testing discipline, version control workflows, and team project experience map directly onto day-one developer work.
- Interview prep differs slightly. Technical interviews at many companies lean on data structures and algorithms, which sit at the center of a CS curriculum. SE students often need to self-study that material a bit more.
- Portfolio strength matters either way. Team capstones (common in SE) and personal projects (common in CS) both give you something concrete to show employers.
If your school offers software engineering only as a CS concentration, that path gives you a bit of both: the CS core plus SE-focused upper-level courses.
How to choose
Work through these questions:
- Check availability first. Computer science majors are everywhere; standalone software engineering majors are not. List the schools you can realistically attend and see what each actually offers.
- Read the upper-level course lists. Program names vary more than program content. Two “different” degrees at two schools can share most of their courses.
- Match the format to how you learn. If team projects and applied work keep you motivated, SE-style programs suit you. If you like math and open-ended problems, CS-style programs suit you.
- Think one step past graduation. Considering a master’s degree, or unsure about your specialty? The broader CS foundation makes later pivots easier.
Next steps
- Start with the Computer Science Program Guide for degree levels, costs, and career paths across the whole field.
- Considering the concentration route? Read the Software Engineering Concentration guide.
- Drawn to the engineering framing more broadly? The Engineering Program Guide covers accredited engineering paths, including computer engineering.
- Comparing schools and formats? Browse the Online Colleges hub for accreditation guidance and program rankings.
Data verified: July 2, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.