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Computer Engineering at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
86 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
88
Optimistic
86
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,809/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 35.2x earnings multiple (13.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,049K $987K $751K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 37.4x 35.2x 26.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.9x 13.1x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 88 86 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (13.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,129
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,748
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $79,809/yr, Computer Engineering graduates from California State University-Long Beach land near the $78,694 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 35.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $17,129 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

California State University-Long Beach ranks #8 among 174 Computer Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 36% earnings increase from $79,809 to $108,748 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 34,131 students enrolled in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering →

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($141,588) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($141,588) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($118,232) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($111,560) Duke University ($111,145) Santa Clara University ($103,804) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($103,123) Columbia University in the City of New York ($102,083)

Compare Computer Engineering

California State University-Long Beach vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus → California State University-Long Beach vs University of Washington-Bothell Campus → California State University-Long Beach vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo → California State University-Long Beach vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($100,178) Construction Engineering Technologies ($89,003) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,278) Civil Engineering ($73,342) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($66,477) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($66,090) Mechanical Engineering ($60,996) Computer Science ($60,378)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 86/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?
At 86/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?
The 71% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Long Beach one of the best schools for Computer Engineering?
Among 174 Computer Engineering programs, California State University-Long Beach's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →