Home › San Diego State University › Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $73,584/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)

ROI 26.7x earnings multiple (11.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #10 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 5%

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	$931K	$884K	$762K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	28.1x	26.7x	23.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	11.5x	11.0x	9.4x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	75%	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)

$33,160

Out-of-state: $80,680 (11.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,696

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,832

3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$96,325

31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,584 at San Diego State University come in 6% above the national median of $69,097 for Civil Engineering programs.

With a 26.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $73,584 far exceeding the $19,832 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

San Diego State University ranks #10 among 220 Civil Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 31% earnings increase from $73,584 to $96,325 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University accepts 34% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 33,654 in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State 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

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Compare Civil Engineering

Other Majors at San Diego State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at San Diego State University?

At 76/100, 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 San Diego State University?

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 San Diego State University one of the best schools for Civil Engineering?

Among 220 Civil Engineering programs, San Diego State University's #10 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 →