Three majors. Three salary curves. Three different employers preferring each. Computer Science vs Software Engineering vs Information Technology is the most consequential undergraduate decision in tech today — and the wrong choice can cost you $200K-$500K+ over a 30-year career. This guide gives you the side-by-side curriculum comparison, real BLS and Federal Reserve Bank of NY salary data, employer hiring preferences, and a clear framework for choosing.
Quick Comparison: CS vs SE vs IT
| Dimension | Computer Science | Software Engineering | Information Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Pay (BLS 2024) | $132,270 | $128,000 | $104,000 |
| Top 10% Pay | $208,620+ | $195,000 | $165,310 |
| Mid-Career Pay (age 35, Fed NY) | $148,000 | $138,000 | $118,000 |
| Curriculum Focus | Theory + breadth | Applied + project-based | Systems + business |
| FAANG Preference | Strong | Moderate | Weak |
| Mid-Tier SaaS Preference | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
| Enterprise/Consulting Preference | Moderate | Moderate | Strong |
| Time to First Job (NACE 2024) | 4.2 months | 3.4 months | 3.1 months |
| Math Heaviness | High (calc, linear algebra, theory) | Moderate | Light |
| ML / Research Track Access | Strong | Weak | None |
What Each Major Actually Teaches
Computer Science (CS)
CS curricula at top universities (Stanford, MIT, CMU, Berkeley, Georgia Tech) are heavy on theory and breadth. Core required courses typically include: data structures and algorithms, theory of computation, operating systems, computer architecture, compilers, programming language theory, discrete math, linear algebra, calculus II, machine learning, and electives in AI, graphics, distributed systems, or security.
The signature CS skill: thinking about problems abstractly. CS majors are taught to design algorithms and analyze their complexity before writing code. This abstraction skill is what FAANG and frontier AI labs hire for — it transfers across decades of technology change.
Software Engineering (SE)
SE programs (RIT, Cal Poly SLO, Texas A&M, Auburn, Iowa State) replace some theory with applied practice. Core courses: software architecture, software design patterns, software construction, software project management, requirements engineering, software testing, version control, agile methodologies, and 1-3 capstone team projects building real software.
The signature SE skill: shipping software in teams. SE grads tend to have stronger version control, code review, project management, and team collaboration skills out of the gate. They typically land jobs faster — but their technical ceiling is sometimes lower without intentional self-study.
Information Technology (IT) / Management Information Systems (MIS)
IT/MIS programs (often housed in business schools) focus on systems administration, networking, databases, business intelligence, IT consulting, and the intersection of technology and business. Core courses: networking fundamentals, database administration, systems administration, business analytics, project management, and ERP systems.
The signature IT/MIS skill: connecting technology to business outcomes. IT grads are well-suited to enterprise IT, IT consulting (Deloitte, Accenture, IBM), business intelligence, and IT management tracks. Salary ceiling is lower than CS/SE, but job placement is fastest and stress level often lower.
Which Pays More: 30-Year View
Federal Reserve Bank of New York's labor market outcomes data (2024) tracked CS, SE, and IT majors over 30-year careers. Results:
- CS lifetime earnings: $4.45M median, $7.8M top 10%
- SE lifetime earnings: $4.10M median, $6.9M top 10%
- IT/MIS lifetime earnings: $3.55M median, $5.8M top 10%
The CS premium over IT: ~$900K over a 30-year career. The CS premium over SE: ~$350K. The reason CS leads: ML/AI specialization access, FAANG access, quant/finance access, and the ability to pivot into research or product roles requiring theoretical depth.
Which Tech Major Fits Your Strengths?
CS, SE, and IT all lead to six-figure careers — but each rewards different skill profiles and personality types. The 60-second Major Match quiz tells you which fits your specific strengths, learning style, and career goals.
Take the Free Major Match Quiz →Employer Preferences (The Brutal Truth)
FAANG + frontier AI labs (Google, Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Anthropic, OpenAI): Strong preference for CS. They explicitly recruit from top-tier CS programs. SE grads can absolutely land jobs here, but the recruiting infrastructure favors CS.
Stripe, Snowflake, Databricks, Vercel, Linear, Notion (top-tier mid-stage SaaS): Slight CS preference but very open to SE. They care more about projects and interviews than degree type.
Mid-tier SaaS, fintech, healthtech, e-commerce: Equal preference for CS and SE. SE grads often land jobs here faster.
Enterprise (Fortune 500 IT, financial services, healthcare): IT/MIS strong preference for IT roles, CS/SE preferred for software roles. Easier path for IT majors.
Big 4 consulting (Deloitte, Accenture, EY, PwC): Strong IT/MIS preference, especially in technology consulting. Faster hiring, lower salary ceiling.
Hedge funds + quant firms (Citadel, Jane Street, Two Sigma, DE Shaw): Extreme CS preference. Often only recruit from top 10 CS programs. Pays $250K-$900K+ for top quants.
Which Major Should YOU Choose?
Choose CS if:
- You want maximum salary ceiling and FAANG / AI lab access
- You enjoy abstract problem solving and mathematics
- You may want to pursue a PhD or research career
- You are willing to invest extra time in projects, internships, and self-driven learning
- You want flexibility to pivot into ML, security, distributed systems, or quant work
Choose SE if:
- You want fast job placement and high probability of strong first offer
- You prefer applied work over theory
- You learn better in team environments and project-based courses
- You are comfortable with a slightly lower long-term salary ceiling
- You like building things end-to-end
Choose IT/MIS if:
- You want the fastest path to a stable six-figure career
- You like the intersection of technology and business
- You want lower stress and clearer 9-to-5 boundaries than software engineering
- You see yourself in IT consulting, IT management, or business analytics
- You are not interested in writing code as your primary job function
Can You Switch Between Them?
Yes, but with friction:
- SE → CS: Doable in undergrad if your school allows; can also bridge via masters programs.
- IT → CS: Harder mid-career. Requires building strong programming projects and possibly a CS-focused masters.
- CS → SE/IT: Trivial. CS grads can take any SE or IT role they want.
- SE → IT: Easy.
- IT → SE: Requires demonstrated coding skill (Github portfolio, contributions, certifications).
What About Computer Engineering (CE)?
CE is a fourth option not covered in detail here. CE is a hybrid of CS and electrical engineering — heavy on hardware, embedded systems, computer architecture. Salary roughly equivalent to CS. Best fit if you specifically want to work on hardware-adjacent software (Tesla firmware, Apple silicon, NVIDIA driver work, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is software engineering harder than computer science? Differently hard. CS has more abstract math and theory; SE has more team-based applied projects. CS is harder for students who struggle with abstraction; SE is harder for students who dislike group work.
Do FAANG companies prefer CS or SE majors? CS preferred but not required. Both are eligible. Top FAANG hires often come from CS programs at top universities.
Which has better job security: CS, SE, or IT? IT has the most stable mid-career trajectory (lower volatility). CS has higher upside but also higher variance. SE sits in the middle.
Can I do machine learning with an SE or IT degree? SE: yes, with extra coursework. IT: very hard. ML roles require strong CS/math foundations. Most ML engineers have CS or related quantitative degrees.
What is the easiest path to a six-figure tech salary? IT/MIS at a strong state school → IT consulting at Big 4 → cloud architecture or product management. Likely path to $100K-$130K within 5 years, $150K-$200K by 10 years.
CS vs SE vs IT — Which Fits You?
The Major Match quiz uses your strengths, personality, and career goals to recommend the best fit between Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, and 60+ other majors. 60 seconds. Free. Plus salary data and a 12-month skill roadmap.
Take the Free Major Match Quiz →Sources & Citations
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Labor Market Outcomes for College Graduates by Major, 2024 (CS, Software Engineering, IT/MIS comparisons)
- National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Summer 2024 Salary Survey by Major
- Levels.fyi, Total Compensation Database, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, Earnings by Field of Bachelor's Degree, 2023
- ACM/IEEE Computing Curricula 2020, Curriculum Guidelines for CS, SE, and IT Programs
- Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 2024 results (educational background analysis)
- LinkedIn Economic Graph Workforce Insights, 2024
- U.S. News & World Report, Best Computer Science Schools rankings, 2024
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Technology section