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Computer Engineering at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,692/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 27.2x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #109 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

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 $806K $771K $627K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 28.4x 27.2x 22.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.6x 10.2x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,346
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $75,692 track close to the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 27.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $18,346 in median debt against $75,692 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #109 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places California State University-Northridge in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About California State University-Northridge

California State University-Northridge has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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)

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($106,780) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($100,724) Construction Engineering Technologies ($79,352) Public Administration ($76,049) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,207) Mechanical Engineering ($71,359) Accounting and Related Services ($68,904) Computer Science ($62,821)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at California State University-Northridge?
At 73/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at California State University-Northridge?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →