Electrical Engineering vs. Computer Science: Choosing the Right Degree

Explore the key differences and career outlooks of electrical engineering vs. computer science to find your best fit — plus a look at GCU’s degree options.

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Published on Jun 4, 2025

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1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Electrical and Electronic Engineers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2025. 

2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become an Electrical or Electronics Engineer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2025. 

3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become a Computer and Information Research Scientist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2025. 

4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Electrical and Electronics Engineers as of May 2024, retrieved on May 15, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2024 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as electrical and electronics engineers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates. 

5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Computer and Information Research Scientists as of May 2024, retrieved on May 15, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2024 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as computer and information research scientists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates. 


Approved and verified accurate by the Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on May 15, 2025.
 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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