Software Engineering Degrees in North Carolina

Software engineering is one of the fastest growing jobs in North Carolina, and for good reason. The state is home to some of the largest tech companies in the country, as well as medical and research facilities that increasingly rely on software developers to lead innovative projects and initiatives. Fortunately, North Carolina also has some of the top software engineering programs nationwide, making it an ideal state to both study and launch a new career.

Software Engineering Landscape in North Carolina

North Carolina is an exciting location for both experienced software engineers and recent graduates from one of the state’s numerous top universities. In Raleigh-Durham, software engineers have the chance to work in many important industries, including technology, consumer goods, and healthcare—each of which are hiring software developers at an increasing rate.

The Raleigh metropolitan area has a higher concentration of software developers than most cities in the country, while non-metropolitan areas within the state are also leading the way in both employment and annual wage.

Opportunities are not limited to the private sector, either. North Carolina has invested heavily in technology development and broadband infrastructure, expanding networks throughout the state with a special emphasis on underserved communities. The state has already received important grants to update its emergency response systems with new technology, and this represents only the beginning for state leaders.

Whether they are working for the state or for private corporations, software engineering students will find many opportunities to enter rewarding and lucrative careers after graduation.

Software Engineering Education in North Carolina

North Carolina has some of the best software engineering programs in the country, with students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional certifications.

Undergraduate Programs

University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a BS in software engineering. In addition to taking core academic courses in software development and engineering, students are required to have at least 15 credits in a complementary subject—with many students pursuing a second major or minor. Students are also expected to participate in experiential learning opportunities, which include research projects, internships, and full-time work experiences with one of UNC Charlotte’s partner corporations.

Students can earn a BS in software engineering at East Carolina University, a school that has been named one of the nation’s top colleges by The Princeton Review, the best online learning school in North Carolina by Newsweek, and an 11-time recipient of the Diversity Champion Award by Insight Into Diversity magazine. Graduates from ECU’s undergraduate program have gone on to exciting careers while others continue their education with ECU’s highly rated MS in Software Engineering.

Graduate Programs

Duke University offers two master’s degree programs led by some of the top faculty in the nation. Its MS in Software Development is research-focused, while the Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computing Engineering is geared toward students who want to work in the tech industry immediately upon graduation. Both program tracks feature research opportunities in several exciting fields, including machine learning, quantum computing, and nanoelectronic materials and devices.

UNC Wilmington offers advanced study with its MS in Software Development program, which is designed for graduates to enter emerging tech fields. Students study topics including mobile development, information security, biometrics, and natural language processing.

At North Carolina State University, students earn an MS in computer science while gaining internship experience at one of NC State’s many partner corporations. Graduates who wish to extend their education can earn a PhD in computer science, one of the few doctoral programs in the state.

Certificate Programs

Wake Technical Community College offers a Certificate in Computer Programming Fundamentals, an introductory program that prepares students to pursue Wake Tech’s AS in Computer Programming and Development or transfer to a 4-year university in North Carolina.

By accepting students with a degree in any major, the Winston-Salem State University Certificate in Computer Programming is ideal for professionals seeking a mid-career change into a tech field or as the start of an academic track toward software engineering.

Software Engineering Jobs in North Carolina

For graduates with a degree in software development and engineering, there are many opportunities to join a top-tier firm and work on projects that impact the lives of consumers worldwide.

At Qorvo, software engineers work to solve some of the world’s most complex tech problems. Whether they are working on mobile development, network infrastructure, or IoT technology, members of the Qorvo team remain on the cutting edge for research and development. Currently the company has over 200 openings for software engineering positions in locations across the country and around the world.

Lenovo has long been a top choice for software engineering students in North Carolina. Employees work not only on computer-based projects but in emerging industries such as wearable technologies and smart devices. Lenovo is currently hiring software engineers to work at its North Carolina headquarters.

Epic Games is an international leader for mobile app and game development, with massive projects including Unreal Engine, Rocket League, and Fortnite. Epic Games is currently hiring software engineers to work at its headquarters as well as subsidiary companies including Harmonix, SuperAwesome, and Bandcamp.

Software engineering is an industry that will continue to grow within the state and nationwide. For graduating students, North Carolina is an ideal place to begin the career of their dreams.