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Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,346/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 22.0x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 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 $817K $782K $686K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.0x 22.0x 19.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.2x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 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)
$35,580
Out-of-state: $127,068 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,724
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,972
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,995
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $70,346 track close to the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 22.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,972 in median debt against $70,346 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh ranks #26 among 220 Civil Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 21% earnings increase from $70,346 to $84,995 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh admits 40% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 26,389 students in Raleigh, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh →

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

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Computer Science ($85,809) Computer Engineering ($82,997) Chemical Engineering ($81,492) Industrial Engineering ($81,055) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,687) Construction Engineering ($76,574) Nuclear Engineering ($74,540) Materials Engineering ($74,058)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
At 74/100, 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 Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
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.
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh one of the best schools for Civil Engineering?
Among 220 Civil Engineering programs, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's #26 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 →