Computer Engineering at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
84
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,314/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 23.3x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #49 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 $952K $901K $701K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.7x 23.3x 18.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.7x 8.2x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 84 78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,140
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $76,314 track close to the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,000 in median debt against $76,314 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #49 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, West Virginia University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $76,314 to $99,140 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About West Virginia University

West Virginia University has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 17,705 in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

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

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at West Virginia University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 Computer Engineering at West Virginia University?
This program scores 84/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?
With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $701,280 in decade earnings vs $952,406 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →