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Computer 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 $57,841/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)

ROI 21.3x earnings multiple (10.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #88 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

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	$885K	$841K	$667K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.4x	21.3x	16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	11.1x	10.6x	8.4x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	74%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	80	79	73

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 (10.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,000

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,902

3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$87,467

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $57,841/yr fall 26% below the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.3x 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 25% gap from the optimistic case.

At $15,902 in median debt against $57,841 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #88 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $87,467 show a 51% jump from the $57,841 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, 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

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

Other Majors at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

This program scores 79/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $667,043 in decade earnings vs $885,257 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer Engineering from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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