Software Engineering Degrees in Pennsylvania

Home to some of the most significant events in the history of the United States, Pennsylvania is a state with a rich past and an even brighter future. The state has a strong commitment to supporting software development and improving network infrastructure, making it the ideal place for software engineers seeking meaningful career opportunities. Pennsylvania also has several top-rated universities, giving students the chance to learn the fundamentals of software development and engineering from some of the country’s best instructors.

Software Engineering Landscape in Pennsylvania

With exceptional research universities and a strong job market, Pennsylvania is rapidly becoming a center for technology and innovation. Perhaps better known for its historical and industrial roots, the state is investing heavily in its future through government initiatives and growth-oriented projects. This includes the establishment of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, which was established “to promote an entrepreneurial business environment, advance technology innovation, and create a technology-ready workforce.”

Policy changes and statewide investments have paid dividends in recent years and will continue to contribute to job growth in the coming decade. According to Pennsylvania’s state labor statistics, software development and analyst positions are projected to grow by nearly 28% by 2030, a dramatic increase across the state.

Now is the right time for those seeking to launch a new and excited career to take the first step. Software engineers are earning an annual median salary of over $100K, and hundreds of software engineering jobs are available throughout the state of Pennsylvania. There are many exceptional software engineering programs available for students and working professionals at the beginning of their careers or looking to make a mid-career change.

Software Engineering Education in Pennsylvania

Students in Pennsylvania can earn an undergraduate and graduate degree as well as professional certifications at many highly respected institutions.

Undergraduate Programs

Drexel University offers a BS in software engineering and was the first university in the nation to develop a co-op educational track. Through the Steinbright Career Development Center, students have the opportunity to work in the career field of their choice and can join one of over 1,700 employers in 35 states and 45 international locations.

Gannon University’s software engineering students enter a university that boasts a 100% placement rate for graduates. The BS in software engineering program includes project-based learning experiences, preparing students for graduate-level study (at Gannon or elsewhere) or a career at top-tier employers including Citizens Bank, Lockheed Martin, and Progressive Insurance.

Pennsylvania Western prepares students for rewarding tech careers with its BS in software development track. PennWest strengthens students’ career prospects through internships at some of the country’s top corporations, with recent students joining companies such as Indeed, Penn-Union Corporation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Graduate Programs

Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, Penn State offers a rigorous MS in software engineering program that is considered one of the best in the state. With coursework focusing on software analysis, design and architecture, system verification, and data storage and retrieval, Penn State provides graduate students with a deep educational experience that often leads to management positions at tech firms.

At Harrisburg University, students can earn an MS in computer information sciences while conducting groundbreaking research in one of four state-of-the-art research facilities: the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability, Center for Environment, Energy, and Economy, the Research Institute, and the User Experience Center.

In Villanova University’s MS in software engineering students can expect a well-rounded and rigorous academic course load that culminates in a Grand Challenges course—an independent study option allowing students to pursue innovative and cutting-edge research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Certificate Programs

St. Joseph’s University offers an exciting graduate-level certificate in software development, providing both on-campus and online course options. Even better, students can stack their software development certificate with one in artificial intelligence or web and database technologies to earn an MS in computer science.

Westmoreland County Community College offers students and working professionals a certificate in computer technology and programming, a two-semester program that prepares graduates for careers as computer programmers, software developers, and systems analysts.

Software Engineering Jobs in Pennsylvania

Graduating software engineering students will find a strong job market waiting for them throughout Pennsylvania. The state is home to large tech corporations as well as inspiring startup companies, all looking for new talent to join their workforce.

Ansys creates enterprise simulation software and innovative applications for companies around the world. As a company that continues to break new ground in the technology space, Ansys is continually hiring software engineers to work on a variety of projects and products. Currently, they have over 200 openings for software engineers to work at their Pennsylvania headquarters or at locations across the globe.

Sabre Systems is a software engineering and development firm that has worked on critical projects with their client partners. Successful projects include Army’s Almost Real Time ElectroMagnetic Simulator (ARTEMS) that “enables identification of the best antenna locations on the vehicles to reduce electromagnetic interference.” They currently have over 60 available software engineering positions within their corporation.

For those wishing to use their skills on mobile app development and education, Duolingo stands out for its award-winning language learning apps. They have available positions for operations engineers, emphasizing the position for new graduates.

For both large and small companies, software engineers will continue to play an important role throughout Pennsylvania for years to come.