Software Engineering Degrees in Arizona

The State of Arizona is best known for its desert landscape, its stark natural beauty—and, of course, the Grand Canyon. However, the state is quickly gaining a reputation for a new reason: technology and innovation. Arizona is home to world-class universities and cutting-edge tech companies, making it a great option for software engineers and developers.

With software engineering set to grow steadily over the next ten years statewide, Arizona has emerged as a go-to location for both tech professionals and corporations.

Software Engineering Landscape in Arizona

Arizona is a rapidly growing technology hub. Its proximity to California’s Silicon Valley has made it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and software companies seeking a pro-business climate with affordable property prices and strong communities.

Data analytics firm Lightcast ranked Arizona in the top-five nationwide for “semiconductor and other electronic components manufacturing employment” and “technology and innovation manufacturing employment.” Phoenix has also been named a top-ten tech hub by Business Facilities magazine, while the Milken Institute called Arizona a top-ten state for “technology industry concentration and dynamism.”

Think tanks and labor market research teams are not the only ones lauding Arizona as a rising tech state. Some of the largest corporations in the world have set down roots there, including global tech leaders such as Amazon, PayPal, Honeywell, and Intel.

Software development jobs in Arizona are growing at a rate of nearly 7%, with software engineers and developers earning an average annual salary of $115K. This industry is projected to rise consistently in the coming decade, and Arizona’s pro-innovation policies mean that the future is bright for tech professionals in the Grand Canyon State.

Software Engineering Education in Arizona

Home to many impressive universities offering undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, Arizona is an outstanding state for students seeking a software engineering degree.

Undergraduate Programs

Grand Canyon University offers a BS in Software Engineering that teaches students “how to use state-of-the-art engineering, business and computer science practices and technologies to find solutions for complex software issues.” With two separate capstone project requirements, GCU gives students the time and support they need to conduct deep, focused research.

Arizona State University’s BS in Software Engineering provides students with the opportunity to learn software life cycle best practices in a project-driven curriculum. Accredited by ABET, Arizona State is also a proud partner in the Western Undergraduate Exchange program, providing reduced nonresident tuition fees to students who live in western states.

At Northern Arizona University, students can earn a BS in Software Engineering that prepares them to work in cutting-edge fields after graduation. The program offers additional coursework in focused areas such as human-computer interaction, high-performance computing, and cybersecurity.

Graduate Programs

Award-winning Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University specializes in aerospace, aviation, and STEM. US News & World Report recently named the Prescott campus the #1 Most Innovative College in the West and the #1 Best College in the West. It’s MS in Cyber Intelligence and Security is ideal for software engineers who want to work on the cutting-edge of research and technology.

University of Advancing Technology has designed an MS in Software Engineering program that enables students without tech backgrounds to rapidly progress through a graduate-level education. In as little as two years, UAT students can earn their degree in software engineering or one of five other areas of specialization, including game production, cybersecurity, or technology innovation.

Certificate Programs

University of Phoenix offers an Advanced Certificate in Software Development that is specifically designed to give students an edge in the job market. The school has worked directly with labor market researchers to align in-demand skills with its program.

At DeVry University’s Phoenix campus, students can earn an Online Undergraduate Certificate in Software Design and Solutions, a flexible program that can be completed quickly and without an IT background. The certificate can also serve as a stepping stone to DeVry’s BS in Software Development.

Software Engineering Jobs in Arizona

There are countless career opportunities for software engineers in Arizona, with some of the country’s top tech companies calling the state home.

Insight develops software solutions to solve some of the biggest problems facing businesses today. With integrated software that improves client experience, increases revenue growth, mitigates risk, and removes operation inefficiencies, Insight is revolutionizing the modern workplace. It currently offers nearly 100 positions for software engineers in Arizona and throughout the United States.

Edgio is one of the nation’s leaders in digital experiences, working with world-famous brands including Sharper Image, Nintendo, and Marvel. Software engineers that join the Edgio team will have the chance to work on dynamic projects that impact millions of people worldwide.

Arizona is known for its abundant sunshine, so it is no surprise that one of the leading tech corporations in the state is a solar company. First Solar is on a mission to lead the world’s sustainable energy future, creating and deploying advanced technology to consumers and businesses around the world. Currently a number of software engineering jobs are open at its Arizona headquarters or in other locations nationwide.

With a degree in software engineering from an Arizona university, graduates will be on the fast track to a high-paying and exciting new career. And with new tech companies emerging in the state on a regular basis, recent graduates will find excellent job opportunities awaiting them.