Civil Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,379/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 21.4x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #45 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $803K $770K $677K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.3x 21.4x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.4x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,976
Out-of-state: $103,800 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,608
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,342
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$83,066
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Nevada-Reno's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $67,379/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.4x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,342 in median debt clears quickly against $67,379 in annual earnings.

At #45 of 220 nationally, this is a top-5% Civil Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $67,379 to $83,066 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Nevada-Reno

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Nevada-Reno is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 15,723 students in Reno, NV.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →

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 Nevada-Reno?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $677,336 in decade earnings vs $803,151 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Nevada-Reno's Civil Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #45 of 220 programs nationally, University of Nevada-Reno lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →