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Civil Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,510/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 10%

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 $990K $937K $801K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.0x 17.0x 14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.3x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,529
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$102,084
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Los Angeles's Civil Engineering graduates start at $75,510/yr — above the $69,097 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 17.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 19% 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 — $17,529 in median debt clears quickly against $75,510 in annual earnings.

At #15 of 220 programs, this Civil Engineering program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 35% earnings increase from $75,510 to $102,084 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Los Angeles

Only 9% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Los Angeles, reflecting elite selectivity, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Compare Civil Engineering

University of California-Los Angeles vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo → University of California-Los Angeles vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at University of California-Los Angeles

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($136,099) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($94,611) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,369) Business/Managerial Economics ($83,604) Mechanical Engineering ($79,016) Chemical Engineering ($76,680) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,068) Economics ($62,091)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles?
At 75/100, 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →