Civil Engineering at University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,655/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 15.0x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #92 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $857K $818K $713K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.0x 13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.0x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,504
Out-of-state: $164,380 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,840
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,937
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,614
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Arizona's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $69,655/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,937 in median debt clears quickly against $69,655 in annual earnings.

At #92 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, University of Arizona scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $69,655 to $88,614 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Arizona

A 86% acceptance rate means University of Arizona is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 40,769 in Tucson, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arizona →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at University of Arizona?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $713,099 in decade earnings vs $857,385 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →