Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $69,310 track close to the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x 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 16% gap from the optimistic case.
At $22,000 in median debt against $69,310 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #121 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, University of Illinois Chicago falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $69,310 to $83,670 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.