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Civil Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,285/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #119 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 $805K $772K $679K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.0x 12.5x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.3x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,707
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,285/yr, edging above the $69,097 national average for Civil Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 12.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,000 in median debt against $74,285 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #119 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $74,285 to $84,707 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

With a 57% acceptance rate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is moderately selective, with 30,435 students enrolled in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

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) University of Southern California ($85,262) 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)

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
At 70/100, 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →