Software vs Hardware engineering: Perhaps you should find a school that offers both programs. Start by declaring a major in one or the other, but talk to an academic or departmental advisor to find some courses that may serve as an elective in the other major... Then use that as an opportunity to try each one to see what you prefer to do. Hardware engineering is going to likely be more electrical engineering, but there will be some elements of computer logic and assembly required. Both logic and assembly are very low-level and don't require a lot of math or per-requisites before jumping in. Another option is computational engineering, which spends more of an emphasis on simulations and AI (major buzzword these days)...just remember AI as a buzzword is being used to trick corporations into using simulation and predictive analytics to help them make decisions. It ain't rocket science, but it's what's paying the bills on a lot of these jobs and will be for the next 5 years until they come up with a new buzzword to trick CEOs.