Civil Engineering at West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,062/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 23.4x earnings multiple (9.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #62 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $788K $756K $667K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.4x 23.4x 20.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.8x 9.4x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 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)
$32,256
Out-of-state: $80,480 (9.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,828
-23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,556
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

West Virginia University Institute of Technology's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $67,062/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,250 in median debt clears quickly against $67,062 in annual earnings.

At #62 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, West Virginia University Institute of Technology scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $67,062 to $81,556 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About West Virginia University Institute of Technology

West Virginia University Institute of Technology's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,009 in Beckley, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology →

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

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at West Virginia University Institute of Technology?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $667,195 in decade earnings vs $787,772 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →