Civil Engineering at Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,671/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 39.1x earnings multiple (11.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $797K $764K $673K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 40.8x 39.1x 34.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.5x 11.0x 9.7x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$19,516
Out-of-state: $69,296 (11.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$32,004
-64% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,300
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,802
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $64,671 track close to the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 39.1x 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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,300 in median debt against $64,671 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #40 of 220 nationally, this is a top-5% Civil Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $64,671 to $81,802 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 23,458 students in Boca Raton, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida Atlantic 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at Florida Atlantic University?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $672,966 in decade earnings vs $796,521 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Florida Atlantic University's Civil Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #40 of 220 programs nationally, Florida Atlantic University lands in the top 25%. 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 →