Computer Engineeringat California State University-Fullerton
Graduates earn $55,093/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,176K; scenarios range from $859K to $1,262K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CSU Fullerton
California State University-Fullerton's Computer Engineering graduates start at $55,093/yr, trailing the $78,694 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
The 41.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI exposure is significant at 71% of job tasks, producing a 32% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,500 in median debt clears quickly against $55,093 in annual earnings.
Ranked #73 out of 174 programs, California State University-Fullerton's Computer Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $55,093 to $113,278 over five years (106% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
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 CSU Fullerton'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 Computer Engineering
How CSU Fullerton stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CSU Fullerton
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Fullerton, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at CSU Fullerton
How does California State University-Fullerton's Computer Engineering program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Fullerton's Computer Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Computer Engineering earnings lower at California State University-Fullerton?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Fullerton may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.