My kid that is now leaning toward music/theater was actually leaning toward comp sci and doing a lot of independent programming his first 2 years of high school. Unity game engine was of particular interest. Now he has ZERO interest in that even though he definitely has the aptitude. Both my husband and I have computer science degrees and have worked in software engineering. I have a BS math and BS comp sci. He has a BA comp sci and a MS Software Engineering. All from the same competitive tech program. I have regrets actually about going the BS route. I think I would have been better served with a BA and actually probably would have ended up with a different degree if I would have gone that way. I did work in software engineering for a while and have taught programming to kids, but am not working in that area now.
I will say in general having done hiring of comp sci majors (and my husband still hires), those with a BS from a competitive tech program are much stronger candidates for actually in the trenches deep tech work than those with a BA. But often those with a BA have better communication skills and are more well rounded. It just depends on the job of interest. Honestly, I don’t know anyone doing anything more than very low level tech work that doesn’t have a degree.
And yes, CE is very different than CS.