Construction Engineering at Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
76
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,936/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Large (68,400 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 14 Construction Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,005K $949K $816K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 17.6x 15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.7x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 73% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 76 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,976
Out-of-state: $142,656 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,272
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,199
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oregon State University's Construction Engineering graduates start at $80,936/yr — above the $76,543 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Construction Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Construction Engineering's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $25,000 in median debt clears quickly against $80,936 in annual earnings.

At #4 of 14 Construction Engineering programs, Oregon State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $80,936 to $106,199 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Oregon State University

A 79% acceptance rate means Oregon State University is accessible to most applicants, with 29,557 students enrolled in Corvallis, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State 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 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Construction Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oregon State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Construction Engineering at Oregon State University?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Construction Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Construction Engineering careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $816,076 in decade earnings vs $1,005,022 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →