Explore the best online computer engineering courses

Explore flexible online computer engineering courses and certificate programs on edX from leading universities. Earn a certificate to support your career goals.

Key takeaways

  • edX offers online computer engineering courses from schools such as Harvard and Georgia Tech.
  • Through online courses and Professional Certificates, you can build knowledge in areas computer engineers often use, from circuits and embedded systems to programming, AI, and cybersecurity.
  • Short courses work well for targeted skill-building in computer engineering topics, while Professional Certificates offer a more structured path to a credential.

Popular online computer engineering courses with certificates

Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Course
Quantum Computer Systems Design I: Intro to Quantum Computation and Programming
University of Chicago
Course
Applied Quantum Computing II: Hardware
Purdue University
Course
Embedded Systems Essentials with Arm: Get Started with the micro:bit
Arm Education
Course

What is computer engineering?

Computer engineering connects hardware and software to create reliable computing systems. It draws from electrical engineering, computer science, and software engineering to support work in areas such as circuits, embedded systems, computer architecture, and operating systems, among others.

Why learn computer engineering?

  • Learn to bridge the gap between software and hardware so you can work on computing systems that need both.
  • Pursue strong earning potential in a field where computer hardware engineers earned a median annual salary of $155,020 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • Build skills that can broaden your job scope across industries, including computing systems, AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and data.

Browse online Computer Engineering Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

C Programming with Linux
Dartmouth College
Professional Certificate
7 Courses
Computer System Design: Concepts of Modern Microprocessors
Chalmers University of Technology
Professional Certificate
2 Courses
Digital transformation as a business and innovation strategy
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Professional Certificate
3 Courses
Circuits and Electronics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
XSeries
3 Courses
Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML)
Harvard University
Professional Certificate
3 Courses
Embedded Systems Essentials with Arm
Arm Education
Professional Certificate
2 Courses
Big Data Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
MicroMasters
5 Courses
Essential Math for AI Programming & Data Structures
Columbia University
Professional Certificate
2 Courses

What can you do with a computer engineering degree?

The BLS projects over 317,000 computer and information technology job openings each year between 2024 and 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing industries. Professionals in computer and information technology occupations also typically earn higher-than-average salaries.

Earning a computer engineering degree can qualify you for many well-paying jobs, including:

Computer hardware engineer

These professionals design and test new computer hardware systems, such as microprocessors, medical devices, and other electronic components.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited program.
  • Median annual salary (2024): $155,020

Why learn computer engineering online with edX

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How do I start learning computer engineering?

Build computer engineering skills online with edX through flexible courses designed by top universities. Explore programs to develop foundational knowledge, gain practical experience, and advance your career in this high-demand field.

1. Build foundational knowledge

Start with an online computer engineering course to learn core concepts in hardware, software, operating systems, and computer architecture. Build a strong foundation in engineering principles, programming languages such as Python and C, and essential topics including memory management and networking protocols.

Featured courses

Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Course
CS50's Introduction to Computer Science
Harvard University
Course
CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python
Harvard University
Course

Explore computer engineering programs

Frequently asked questions

Can I learn computer engineering online?

You can learn computer engineering online through flexible options that align with different goals, from short courses and certificate programs to online bachelor's and master's degree pathways in related fields.

Depending on your experience and credential needs, you can explore topics such as circuits, embedded systems, computer science, and quantum computing on edX.

What is the difference between computer engineering and computer science?

Computer engineering focuses on how hardware and software work together to create computing systems, while computer science centers more on software, algorithms, data, and computational theory.

Computer engineering coursework often includes circuits, embedded systems, and computer architecture. Computer science coursework may emphasize programming, operating systems, and databases.

Are computer engineering courses hard?

Computer engineering classes can feel challenging to some learners because they blend math, programming, and technical computing topics. Take advantage of self-paced courses that you can work through on your own schedule if you're having trouble understanding a concept. Tutoring, study groups, and hands-on practice projects can also help simplify advanced concepts.

What are the benefits of studying computer engineering?

Computer engineering is the foundation for several computer-related disciplines, so studying it can lead to high-paying careers as computer hardware engineers or computer network architects. These roles are in demand and pay median annual salaries of over $130,000, per BLS data from 2024.

What courses do you need for computer engineering?

Curricula vary by school, but most computer engineering programs include courses in circuitry, digital systems, computer architecture, computer networking, and digital logic. Data structures, operating systems, and statistics are also often covered.