Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Computer Engineer
Have you ever wondered how many parts make up your computer, calculator, or television?  Ever took a look inside and was mesmerized by all the dizzying components and circuitry that comprised the gadget?  If you love working on machines, have an unquenchable curiosity for how they work, and are a lover of Math, Science, computers, and mechanics, then you just might be the next great Computer Engineer.

Computer Engineers research, design, develop, and test computer or computer-related equipment (chips, circuit boards, routers, etc.) for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use, in addition to supervising the manufacturing and installation of said equipment and components.  By solving complex problems in computer hardware, they are able to create rapid advances in computer technology.

Duties include but are not limited to:  designing new computer hardware, creating blueprints of computer equipment to be built; testing the completed models of the computer hardware they design; analyzing the test results and modifying the design as needed; updating existing computer equipment so that it will work with new software; and overseeing the manufacturing process for computer hardware.

In order to ensure that computer hardware components work together with the latest software developments (which is a main responsibility), Computer Engineers work closely and concurrently with Software Developers and Computer Scientists.

High school students interested in studying Computer Engineering benefit from taking courses in Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Applications, Drafting, and Mathematics—Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus.  Students entering Computer Engineering Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Computer Engineering training should expect a period 4 to 5 years to complete said program.  A Professional Engineer's license (or PE) is required for those who wish to someday establish their own Computer Engineering consulting firm and to provide services directly to the public.  In most states, continuing education is required to maintain Computer Engineering licensure.  Graduate education is needed for many research and development positions.

Computers have practically pervaded nearly every aspect of the modern world and are constantly evolving, thanks to Computer Engineers' ability to diligently apply, coordinate with, and rapidly respond to Computer Science.  And as computers grow thinner and components grow smaller and more powerful, one can expect the demand for the skill set of Computer Engineers to grow at a steady pace.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $98,610

Salary Range:  ~$62,400 - $147,610+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The more prevalent routes to becoming a Computer Engineer have been to major in either Computer Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Aviation Computer Science, Computer Science Technology, Computer and Information Science, Computer Information Science, Engineering Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics, for many of their concepts, theories, and principles coincide.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
​Colleges and universities that have Computer Engineering and the related majors are:  North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama); Howard University (Washington, DC); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Virginia); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama); Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Florida); South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama); Philander Smith College (Little Rock, Arkansas); University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Arkansas); Kentucky State University (Frankfort, Kentucky); Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, Georgia); Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, Florida); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Georgia); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Dillard University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana); Bowie State University (Bowie, Maryland); Alcorn State University (Lorman, Mississippi); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Mississippi); Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); Tougaloo College (Tougaloo, Mississippi); Talladega College (Talladega, Alabama); Allen University (Columbia, South Carolina); Cheyney University (Cheney, Pennsylvania); Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); Voorhees College (Denmark, South Carolina); Lane College (Jackson, Tennessee); Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas); Bennett College (Greensboro, North Carolina); LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, Tennessee); Saint Augustine's University (Raleigh, North Carolina); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); West Virginia State University (Charleston, West Virginia); Texas College (Tyler, Texas); Rust College (Holly Springs, Mississippi); Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia); Bluefield State College (Bluefield, West Virginia); and Saint Paul's College (Lawrenceville, Virginia).
Available Scholarships