Civil Engineeringat California State University-Fresno
Graduates earn $71,093/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Civil Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $860K; scenarios range from $744K to $904K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Fresno State
Fresno State's Civil Engineering program consistently ranks among the nation's best, reflecting a practical, hands-on curriculum that aligns directly with regional demand. Your earning potential is shaped by the Central Valley's continuous need for infrastructure development, water management, and public works projects. Many graduates find themselves designing critical systems for state agencies like Caltrans, local municipalities, or private consulting firms that are foundational to California's growth. This program has a strong reputation for producing job-ready engineers who contribute to everything from new roadways and bridges to sustainable water solutions. While AI is poised to transform aspects of the field, impacting routine design tasks, it also elevates the demand for engineers who can manage complex projects and integrate new technologies. Therefore, focus on developing strong problem-solving skills and project management expertise to thrive in this evolving landscape.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fresno State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Civil Engineering
How Fresno State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Fresno State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fresno State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Civil Engineering at Fresno State
How does California State University-Fresno's Civil Engineering program score?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Fresno's Civil Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Civil Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Civil Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Fresno rank so high for Civil Engineering?
The #7 ranking out of 220 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.