Computer Engineering at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
84
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,117/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 33.2x earnings multiple (11.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #46 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $1,018K $959K $735K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 35.3x 33.2x 25.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.6x 11.0x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 84 78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,856
Out-of-state: $87,504 (11.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,980
-104% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,237
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $71,117/yr, Computer Engineering graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte land near the $78,694 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 33.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 71% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #46 out of 174 programs, University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Computer Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $71,117 to $103,237 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

With 80% of applicants admitted, University of North Carolina at Charlotte prioritizes broad access, with 23,567 students enrolled in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Computer Engineering program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Computer Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →