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Civil Engineering at Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $66,295/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (9.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #151 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

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	$699K	$677K	$609K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.9x	13.4x	12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.7x	9.4x	8.5x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	75%	55%
DegreeOutlook Score	68	67	65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,452

Out-of-state: $71,892 (9.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,260

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,117

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$72,837

10% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Cleveland State University's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $66,295/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

With a 13.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $26,117 in median debt clears quickly against $66,295 in annual earnings.

A #151 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places Cleveland State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $66,295 to $72,837 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Cleveland State University

A 95% acceptance rate means Cleveland State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 9,077 in Cleveland, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Cleveland State University →

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

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at Cleveland State University?

At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Civil 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 Civil Engineering at Cleveland State University?

The 49% 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 →