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Engineering · Architectural Engineering Rank #2 of 12

Architectural Engineeringat Auburn University

Graduates earn $77,115/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Architectural Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $863K; scenarios range from $747K to $902K depending on AI disruption.

Auburn, AL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$77,115
1-year post-graduation
ROI
18.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$863K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Auburn University

Auburn's Architectural Engineering program offers a distinct advantage, equipping you with a unique skill set that bridges the critical gap between architectural design and complex building systems. Your education will focus on integrating HVAC, structural, and electrical components, making you highly valuable to firms specializing in large-scale commercial, institutional, and healthcare projects. This niche expertise, coupled with Auburn's strong regional reputation, fuels robust recruiting pipelines into leading design-build firms and consulting agencies across the booming Southeast construction market and nationally. While technology will evolve, the human element of complex problem-solving and client collaboration remains vital. To capitalize on this, prioritize internships early, gaining hands-on experience with diverse project types and firm structures to refine your practical application skills.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$747K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple14.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$863K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple17.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$902K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple18.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Auburn University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Architectural Engineering graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Engineers, all other
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 9,300 openings/yr
$117,750/yr
Moderate
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
4
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$101,480/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Architectural Engineering

How Auburn University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
73
DW Score
$80K
1-yr earn
20.9x
ROI
University of Kansas
KS · Public
58
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
15.3x
ROI
Drexel University
PA · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Kansas State University
KS · Public
70
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
19.1x
ROI
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
72
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
20.6x
ROI
Also at Auburn University

Other top programs at Auburn University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Auburn University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Architectural Engineering at Auburn University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Architectural Engineering at Auburn University?

This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Architectural Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Architectural Engineering careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $747,068 in decade earnings vs $901,671 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Auburn University's Architectural Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #2 of 12 programs nationally, Auburn University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.