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Civil Engineering at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $74,499/yr (8% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)

ROI 3.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #182 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

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	$906K	$861K	$745K
Earnings Multiple	3.6x	3.4x	3.0x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	75%	55%
DegreeOutlook Score	61	60	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$250,772

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$111,292

56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,500

2.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$94,259

27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $74,499 at University of Notre Dame come in 8% above the national median of $69,097 for Civil Engineering programs.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $74,499 far exceeding the $13,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #182 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, University of Notre Dame falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $74,499 to $94,259 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame's 12% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 8,923 students in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $111,292 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Notre Dame →

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

Other Majors at University of Notre Dame

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at University of Notre Dame?

This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Civil Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $745,059 in decade earnings vs $905,855 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is University of Notre Dame a hidden gem for Civil Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $111,292 over four years — 56% below the $250,772 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →