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Civil Engineering at Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
70
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,291/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #101 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) 15.7x 15.1x 13.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.6x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 70 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,144
Out-of-state: $135,776 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,588
-91% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,750
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,856
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $68,291 track close to the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 15.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $21,750 in median debt against $68,291 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #101 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places Auburn University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $68,291 to $81,856 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Auburn University

With a 50% acceptance rate, Auburn University is moderately selective, serving a student body of 25,732 in Auburn, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at Auburn 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 Auburn University

Chemical Engineering ($82,217) Computer Engineering ($80,067) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,680) Architectural Engineering ($77,115) Mechanical Engineering ($74,005) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,440) Industrial Engineering ($71,063) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($68,607)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at Auburn University?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at Auburn 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 →