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Computer Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
84
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $118,232/yr (50% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.2x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #48 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 $1,278K $1,190K $867K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.2x 14.2x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.1x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 84 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$83,944
Out-of-state: $232,056 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$91,524
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,875
1.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$139,318
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Virginia-Main Campus Computer Engineering graduates command $118,232/yr out of the gate, well above the $78,694 national median. That 50% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 14.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Engineering carry above-average AI exposure (71% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,875 in median debt clears quickly against $118,232 in annual earnings.

A #48 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places University of Virginia-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $118,232 to $139,318 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About University of Virginia-Main Campus

Admission to University of Virginia-Main Campus is competitive, with 17% of applicants accepted, enrolling 17,315 students in Charlottesville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Virginia-Main Campus →

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

Compare this program → View all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering →

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($141,588) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($141,588) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($111,560) Duke University ($111,145) Santa Clara University ($103,804) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($103,123) Columbia University in the City of New York ($102,083) DigiPen Institute of Technology ($101,832)

Other Majors at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($98,067) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($93,565) Systems Engineering ($91,178) Chemical Engineering ($85,772) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,135) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($77,922) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,220) Economics ($74,958)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Engineering 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 does a 84/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus?
At 84/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus?
The 71% 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →