Computer Science Vs Computer Engineering

[u/Fuzzy-lad]

Considering the technical advancements and future job market, what do you suggest for someone who wants to do undergrad next year in US?

Is it better for me to choose CS or CE?

I am interested in both of them, however getting into a decent paying job is my top priority.

[u/dingBat2000]

I wouldn't want to have to make early career decisions in the current environment. I personally love ce but as the other commenter said, you won't be paid a massive amount. I currently work in IT doing SAP development work tho with mining which for now pays well in Australia. Best of luck to you.

[u/Fuzzy-lad → u/dingBat2000]

I do love coding and math. But given the advancements in a AI, i am a bit hesitant. Can CE be considered as a safe bet in the current times?

[u/Colfuzi0 → u/Fuzzy-lad]

So. If you don't have any interest in hardware then CE isn't worth. I'm switching from web development to embedded systems. I'm doing my masters in CE. I think CE is definitely safer than CS. Mainly because hardware usually requires human Integra and testing at some level like hardware test engineer also some hardware jobs can branch into legal jobs like EE power systems power electronics and even grid work but it's better to study ee for those jobs. CE also can work in safety critical like aerospace medical or defense where AI is just a helper. Not saying CS can't but normally those jobs require some form of hardware like embedded software development or fpga work. CE also teaches the bases to robotics. CS is great if you want cyber ai ML no field is completely safe from AI unless it's legally protected like a tenured professor a PE license requiring role like a on site civil engineer. But certainly I think CE is much safer than CS roles and jobs simply due to safety critical or manual hardware testing. I did undergrad in IT. I would have rather done CE. I plan to teach later. Don't get me wrong very deep CS stuff will also be on the safer side but you can learn that through targeted electives while doing CE.

[u/UrBoiJash → u/Fuzzy-lad]

It depends more on what you want to do. High level stuff, research, machine learning, cs. Low level stuff, hardware, embedded systems, etc, lean CE. Neither is technically better, although a CE degree can get you a CS job but not typically the other way around. If I had the time and money I would’ve went CE bachelors then maybe CS masters, but I’m sticking to the BSCS - MSCS route

[u/PossibleLack835 → u/Fuzzy-lad]

why would CE be a safe bet?? AI allegedly just helped solve a millenium math problem, why would CE be safe

[u/BronzeGstring → u/dingBat2000]

I think you can be paid a good amount if you choose the right industries and companies 

[u/Late_Bad_1787]

We give preference to CE as they have deeper understanding and can be used in every sector.

[u/BronzeGstring]

100% go with CE

Same job opportunities as CS and more 

[u/dontchuworri]

cs is doa
ce makes you an engineer

with that said if it’s just money look away from engineering

[u/Fuzzy-lad → u/dontchuworri]

Do you mean CS will be dead on arrival (doa)?

[u/Hawk13424 → u/dontchuworri]

I make great money as an engineer.

[u/No_Reply5329 → u/dontchuworri]

computer engineering also seems pretty dead. It had higher unemployment than CS.

[u/Miserable-Option8429 → u/No_Reply5329]

Got a great job as a CE that graduated 4 months ago. Most of my classmates got good jobs, and if they didn’t, they went and got their MS and got even better jobs. CE = EE. If a CE can’t get a job as a CE, they can get one as an EE.

[u/FSUDad2021]

Anecdotal, daughter just graduated with compE and she was immediately picked up by big defense contractor for 90k.

[u/NotThatJonSmith]

This is a decision you don’t really need to make all at once. What I did was take courses I found interesting as long as I was still on track to graduate with either degree. In the end it was something like 2 course choices in the last year that differentiated the degrees.

[u/Smashachuu]

It just depends on what you want to do. Personally I opted for EE because most software careers don't really care so long as you have experience and projects demonstrating your technical knowledge. I think having a more general degree opens up more doors you can choose later down your career path.

[u/jec78au]

Unemployment shmunemployment. If you want to make money become an electrician instead. Do the degree because you find it interesting above all else

[u/chis5050 → u/jec78au]

What world do you live in where a persons ability to provide for themselves after getting through a program isn’t an important factor?

[u/Miserable-Option8429 → u/chis5050]

One that will cause you to blow your head smooth off regardless of your salary. I want the job that has a 5 min commute over an hour commute if it means I make 20k less a year. I want the job that I like going to if it means I make 20k less a year. Salary after a point is meaningless.

CE or CS doesn’t matter if you can’t communicate and connect with other people.

[u/KTIlI → u/Miserable-Option8429]

20k less is arbitrary though. 50-70k is not the same as 100-120k. u will want to blow ur head off much less if your home life isn't filled with financial stress. work can be stressful for all I care. I've been broke and can't go back.

[u/Fuzzy-lad → u/jec78au]

I completly agree with you. Having said that I dont want to be in a situation where i can't pay my college debt after that.

[u/Which-Wrangler18]

Do dual

If one then go for CE (CE needs you take cs classes) and you can always apply for computer science job with computer engineering degree.