Home › University of Southern California › Engineering-Related Fields

Engineering-Related Fields at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,234/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #31 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering-Related Fields graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $685K $671K $608K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 46

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
$19,250
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,234/yr, edging above the $69,301 national average for Engineering-Related Fields — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering-Related Fields's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,250 in median debt against $73,234 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #31 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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
Industrial production managers $121,440/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 31 schools offering Engineering-Related Fields →

Engineering-Related Fields at Other Schools

Stanford University ($100,788) Stevens Institute of Technology ($79,755) Michigan State University ($76,563) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($76,149) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($76,149) University of Arizona ($75,109) Rochester Institute of Technology ($74,923) Miami University-Oxford ($74,624)

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) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Engineering-Related Fields trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering-Related Fields at University of Southern California?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Engineering-Related Fields. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Engineering-Related Fields careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $607,923 in decade earnings vs $684,834 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Engineering-Related Fields?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 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 →