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Civil Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $54,182/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)

ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #155 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

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	$749K	$721K	$641K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.0x	18.3x	16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.4x	9.0x	8.0x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	75%	55%
DegreeOutlook Score	69	67	67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,436

Out-of-state: $79,756 (9.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,000

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$11,000

2.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$74,618

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Civil Engineering graduates start at $54,182/yr, trailing the $69,097 national average by 22%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 18.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears quickly against $54,182 in annual earnings.

A #155 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 38% earnings increase from $54,182 to $74,618 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

A 85% acceptance rate means The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is accessible to most applicants, with 27,026 students enrolled in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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

Other Majors at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Civil Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley a good choice for Civil Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →