Those interested in a career centered around software development and computer technology often focuses on one of two majors: computer science, or software engineering (sometimes referred to as software development, although the two are not synonymous). To be sure, earning an accredited degree in either of these fields will likely prepare a student for a variety of software-related roles.

However, while these two fields of study have certain similarities, they are not one and the same; in fact, they have many subtle and obvious differences that set them apart. To better understand the distinctions, please read through our basic introduction and then see our side-by-side comparison below.