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Computer Engineering at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $93,995/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 4.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #100 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

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 $1,339K $1,244K $898K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 4.8x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,984
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$138,076
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $93,995/yr, edging above the $78,694 national average for Computer Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 4.8x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

Career paths for Computer Engineering carry above-average AI exposure (71% of tasks). The 33% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $25,984 in median debt against $93,995 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #100 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places Boston University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 47% earnings increase from $93,995 to $138,076 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Boston University

Boston University admits 11% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving 17,850 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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

Compare this program → View all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering →

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($141,588) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($141,588) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($118,232) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($111,560) Duke University ($111,145) Santa Clara University ($103,804) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($103,123) Columbia University in the City of New York ($102,083)

Other Majors at Boston University

Computer Science ($90,050) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,528) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($77,660) Mechanical Engineering ($76,337) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,545) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($69,209) Mathematics ($64,604) Economics ($55,733)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at Boston University?
At 75/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at Boston University?
The 71% 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.
What do students actually pay for Computer Engineering at Boston University?
The 59% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $260,672. At a net cost of $107,984, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →