Architectural Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,510/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (28,800 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 12 Architectural Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $919K $878K $759K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.7x 18.8x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.1x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 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)
$46,712
Out-of-state: $171,112 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,712
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,136
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,699
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,510 track close to the $72,121 national median for Architectural Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 18.8x 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 — 47% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $25,136 in median debt against $73,510 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #3 out of 12 programs, The University of Texas at Austin's Architectural Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $73,510 to $100,699 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin admits 29% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 42,100 in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Architectural Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Texas at Austin

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Texas at Austin's Architectural Engineering program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. The University of Texas at Austin's Architectural Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Architectural Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Architectural Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does The University of Texas at Austin rank so high for Architectural Engineering?
The #3 ranking out of 12 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 →