Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
86 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
88
Optimistic
86
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,997/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 28.1x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 10%

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 $1,063K $999K $758K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 29.9x 28.1x 21.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 7.9x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 88 86 79

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 (7.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,724
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,681
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$110,896
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $82,997 per year, Computer Engineering graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn slightly above the $78,694 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 28.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 29% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $22,681 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #17 of 174 programs, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Computer Engineering program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $82,997 to $110,896 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

A 40% acceptance rate puts North Carolina State University at Raleigh in competitive admissions territory, 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
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Compare Computer Engineering

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
This program scores 86/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?
With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $757,709 in decade earnings vs $1,063,084 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →