The best PhDs in software engineering are a great tool for graduate students who want to earn advanced degrees, elevate their engineering skills, and access high-paying professions. With a software engineering PhD, you’ll be able to work in leadership positions in government, engineering, and education.
If you want to pursue doctoral studies and are looking for software engineering programs, look no further. In this article, we discuss the best software engineering jobs, listing PhD in software engineering salary ranges and prospective job growth projections in the software engineering field.
What Is a PhD in Software Engineering?
A PhD in software engineering is an advanced study graduate degree in software engineering. It focuses on researching and implementing computer systems. Students are required to learn how to analyze the needs of their clients to design and deploy new software.
How to Get Into a Software Engineering PhD Program: Admission Requirements
To get into a software engineering PhD program, you need to complete an online application, pay the application fee, send your official transcripts, and provide GRE test scores. Other admission requirements may include letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume. The requirements will vary by institution.
PhD in Software Engineering Admission Requirements
- Online application and application fee
- Transcripts from each higher education institution attended
- GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume
Software Engineering PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Software Engineering?
It is hard to get into a PhD program in software engineering because these programs are highly competitive. PhD programs require a high academic standing, extensive experience and educational background, and strong references. To accommodate the great amount of one-on-one time students need with professors, PhD class sizes are very small and have low acceptance rates.
How to Get Into the Best Universities
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Best PhDs in Software Engineering: In Brief
| School | Program | Online Option |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | PhD in Computer Science and Software Engineering | No |
| Carnegie Mellon University | PhD in Software Engineering | No |
| Clemson University | PhD in Computer Engineering | No |
| Cornell University | PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering | No |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | PhD in Computational Science and Engineering | No |
| Purdue University | PhD in Computer Engineering | No |
| University of California, Irvine | PhD in Software Engineering | No |
| University of Miami | PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering | No |
| University of Michigan | PhD in Computer Science and Engineering | No |
| University of Utah | PhD in Computer Engineering | No |
Best Universities for Software Engineering PhDs: Where to Get a PhD in Software Engineering
The best universities for software engineering provide high-quality education and prepare you to succeed in your future career. If you’re wondering where to get a PhD in software engineering, check our list of the 10 best programs, below.
Can You Get a PhD in Software Engineering Online?
Yes, you can get a PhD in Software Engineering. However, there are very few software engineering PhD programs available online, as most degree programs at this level require hands-on involvement. It would be easier to find PhD programs in computer science, which will cover aspects of engineering. If you want to earn your PhD in Software Engineering, you’ll more than likely need to be willing to attend an in-person program.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Software Engineering?
It takes four to five years to get a PhD in software engineering. This is the average duration for most PhD programs. Throughout the program, you will complete coursework, sit for qualification exams, and write and defend your final doctoral dissertation.
The first year usually covers core courses. The second and third years are for advanced courses related to the specialization. During the fourth and fifth years, students research and defend their PhD dissertations.
Is a PhD in Software Engineering Hard?
Yes, a PhD in Software Engineering is hard. PhD programs are hard to complete because they’re meant to develop future experts, are highly specialized, and require a lot of independent work. Over the course of five years, students are expected to learn advanced topics in their field, develop cutting-edge, relevant research, write and publish papers, and write final dissertations that dissect original research.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Software Engineering?
On average, it costs $19,314 a year to get a PhD in software engineering, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This value may vary. University prestige, public or private university status, and student resident status are some aspects that affect tuition.
How to Pay for a PhD in Software Engineering: PhD Funding Options
PhD funding options that students can use to pay for a PhD in Software Engineering include research and teaching assistantships, internal and external fellowships, and scholarships. Many universities have internal funding for PhD students, which you can access through the institution’s financial office.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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What Is the Difference Between a Software Engineering Master’s Degree and PhD?
The main difference between a software engineering master’s degree and a PhD is that master’s degrees are focused on preparing students for the job market, while a PhD program is more research-based.
Software engineering PhDs prepare students for advanced careers in research and academia. Master’s degrees are a lower qualification but are often more job-focused. Other differences between these types of graduate programs include career options and the time it takes to complete.
Master’s vs PhD in Software Engineering Job Outlook
The job outlook for master’s and PhD graduates in software engineering are similar since both qualifications make you eligible for similar positions. Even though their salaries are different, both professionals are looking at the same job outlook.
Postsecondary teaching employment, a common professional for PhD-holders, is expected to grow by 12 percent in the next decade. Meanwhile, employment in web development, a position better fitted for a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering, is expected to grow by 13 percent over the next decade, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Difference in Salary for Software Engineering Master’s vs PhD
While master’s and doctorate students share many of the same job positions, their salaries vary slightly. When applying for the same position, a PhD graduate can bargain for a higher salary with their advanced knowledge and skills. However on average, according to PayScale, a software engineer with a master’s degree earns, on average, $111,000 per year, while a software engineer with a PhD in the field earns $103,000, annually.
Related Software Engineering Degrees
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Why You Should Get a PhD in Software Engineering
You should get a PhD in software engineering because the demand for software engineers is high, meaning the salaries are high as well. You can complete a PhD program with full funding, and the program will elevate your career, improve your communication skills, and hone career-specific skills. It also qualifies you for senior positions and to teach at the university level.
Reasons for Getting a PhD in Software Engineering
- Higher salaries. Professionals with a software engineering PhD generally earn more than those who have bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
- Funding opportunities. Most students pursuing a PhD in software engineering are eligible for research and teaching assistantships, internal and external fellowships, and scholarships that cover their full tuition.
- Improve communication skills. Software engineering PhD students are required to research and write papers. They are then required to dissect their findings in conferences and seminars, which builds communication skills.
- Hone career-specific skills. Throughout a software engineering PhD program, students work on their programming, software development, software testing and debugging problem-solving, teamwork, and other career-specific skills.
Getting a PhD in Software Engineering: Software Engineering PhD Coursework
Besides research and writing a dissertation, getting a PhD in software engineering requires completing courses in software engineering research, symbolic mathematical modeling and analysis, and human-focused empirical research. Software engineering PhD coursework also includes topics like design and engineering of software systems and the applications of software in society, business, and policy.
Software Engineering Research
A software in engineering research course is designed to prepare students to develop relevant research skills. It introduces field research strategies, discusses developments that led to current inquiries, and allows students to critique and evaluate research papers.
Symbolic Mathematical Modeling and Analysis
In this course, students engage in research methods that include discrete models, proofs, and software-relevant mathematical topics. The most common areas of study in this course are machine learning, programming language semantics, and formal logic.
Human-focused Empirical Research
This course focuses on behavioral science research methods. It touches on human-based topics relevant to software engineering and includes the study of interviews, case studies, surveys, human subjects experiments, and mining software repositories.
Design and Engineering of Software Systems
The design and engineering of software systems course requires a significant engagement with software design, consideration of software artifacts, and exposure to tradeoffs at the core of software engineering.
Software in Society, Business, and Policy
This course covers ways in which software interacts with problems in society, businesses, and public policy. It focuses on topics like the social web, information security and privacy, privacy engineering, and the foundations of privacy.
Best Master’s Degrees
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How to Get a PhD in Software Engineering: Doctoral Program Requirements
To get a PhD in software engineering, you need to meet your school’s program requirements. These include completing the required coursework, passing the qualifying and candidacy exams, creating a program of study, and defending a final dissertation.
Potential Careers With a Software Engineering Degree
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PhD in Software Engineering Salary and Job Outlook
Getting a PhD in software engineering will give you access to jobs that pay well above the national average and grant you career stability. Career prospects are positive since employment in the field is projected to grow over the next decade.
What Can You Do With a PhD in Software Engineering?
With a PhD in software engineering, you can get a job as a computer and information systems manager, a computer and information research scientist, or a senior software developer. You might also become a database administrator, database architect, or computer science postsecondary teacher. With a PhD, you can access senior roles in the industry.
Best Jobs with a PhD in Software Engineering
- Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Computer and Information Research Scientist
- Software Developer
- Database Administrator and Architect
- Computer Science Postsecondary Teacher
What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Software Engineering?
The average salary for a PhD in software engineering is $103,000 per year, on average, according to PayScale. This salary average varies with the career path you choose, the industry you’re working in, and the state you’re based in.
Highest-Paying Software Engineering Jobs for PhD Grads
| Software Engineering PhD Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $162,930 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $142,650 |
| Software Developer | $120,990 |
| Database Administrator and Architect | $96,110 |
| Computer Science Postsecondary Teacher | $89,610 |
Best Software Engineering Jobs with a Doctorate
Throughout the following sections, we’ll discuss some examples of the best software engineering jobs with a doctorate. We’ll also cover how much they pay, the job outlook, and the highest-paying states for each job.
Is a PhD in Software Engineering Worth It?
Yes, getting a PhD in software engineering is worth it. With a PhD, you will develop relevant skills for the job market, work on your research and communication skills, and get a high-paying job in the field. A software engineering PhD opens doors for a range of high-paying positions. While most PhD graduates want to pursue a career in academics, you can also choose to work for the government or engineering companies.
Additional Reading About Software Engineering
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PhD in Software Engineering FAQ
Yes, there are several software engineering events that you can attend for learning and networking. This October, the DotNETOS Conference will take place online, covering .NET 5, .NET 6, and .NET Core for people invested in the .NET community. You can attend for free.
The difference between a software engineer and a programmer is in their focus. Programmers create functional code while software engineers design software from an engineering perspective. Software engineers have to consider end-users and are also programmers themselves.
Some of the best software engineer tools include Adobe Dreamweaver, Gnu Debugger, and Notepad++. A few other popular tools for software engineers are GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Visual Studio.
The top skills for software engineers include programming languages, programming skills, cloud computing foundations, knowledge of DevOps practices, familiarity with the software development process, and strong communication skills.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
