Ocean Engineering at Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,941/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (27,900 openings/yr)
ROI 40.5x earnings multiple (11.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 4 Ocean Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $818K $790K $692K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 41.9x 40.5x 35.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.8x 11.4x 10.0x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 70

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 (11.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$32,004
-64% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,902
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $67,941 track close to the $69,785 national median for Ocean Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 40.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $27,000 in median debt against $67,941 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

With only 4 programs offering Ocean Engineering nationally, this is a niche field. Florida Atlantic University ranks #1 among them.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $67,941 to $88,902 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary 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
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Ocean Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Florida Atlantic University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Florida Atlantic University's Ocean Engineering program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Florida Atlantic University's Ocean Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Ocean Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ocean Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Florida Atlantic University rank so high for Ocean Engineering?
The #1 ranking out of 4 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →