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Civil Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,673/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Civil Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $969K $918K $787K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.9x 20.7x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.4x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,424
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,618
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $80,673/yr, edging above the $69,097 national average for Civil Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,424 in median debt against $80,673 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #1 of 220 Civil Engineering programs nationally, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $80,673 to $101,618 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 30% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with 21,521 students enrolled in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142) Lawrence Technological University ($77,836)

Compare Civil Engineering

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($90,576) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($85,509) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $786,989 in decade earnings vs $969,450 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Civil Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 220 programs nationally, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →