Construction Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
74
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,627/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Large (68,400 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 14 Construction Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $902K $858K $747K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.6x 13.9x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.8x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 73% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 74 71

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 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,349
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,832
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Construction Engineering graduates start at $82,627/yr — above the $76,543 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Construction Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Construction Engineering's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $26,349 in median debt clears quickly against $82,627 in annual earnings.

At #6 of 14 Construction Engineering programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $96,832 are relatively flat compared to the $82,627 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's 57% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, 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
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Construction Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Construction Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Construction Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Construction Engineering careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $747,251 in decade earnings vs $902,429 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →