<p>Both have fantastic, worldwide reputations. I would say that the CS program is better-known, but at that point you’re comparing superlatives.</p>
<p>The line between CS and CE is sketchy and varies from place to place. At CMU, the CS program focuses on AI, algorithms/theory, software engineering, and systems & programming languages (which is pretty normal). I know it has a particular strength in machine learning. The ECE program stresses computer systems (some overlap with CS there), embedded systems, biotech, communications engineering, signal processing, automation, computer architecture, and microelectronics.</p>