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Civil Engineering at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $85,262/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #160 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 $1,125K $1,057K $890K
Earnings Multiple 4.1x 3.9x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,125
1.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$116,779
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $85,262/yr, edging above the $69,097 national average for Civil Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 3.9x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $8,125 in median debt against $85,262 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #160 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places University of Southern California in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 37% earnings increase from $85,262 to $116,779 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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) 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) Lawrence Technological University ($77,836)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,980)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at University of Southern California?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Civil Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at University of Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Civil Engineering at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →