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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #8 of 174

Computer Engineeringat California State University-Long Beach

Graduates earn $79,809/yr in their first year — about 1.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $987K; scenarios range from $751K to $1,049K depending on AI disruption.

Long Beach, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
86 ELITE
88
Optimistic
79
Pessimistic
Earnings
$79,809
1-year post-graduation
ROI
37.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$987K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU Long Beach

This Computer Engineering program at CSULB stands out, largely due to its strategic position within the bustling Southern California tech ecosystem. The region's demand for skilled engineers, spanning aerospace, defense, entertainment technology, and numerous startups, creates a robust hiring environment. CSULB's reputation for practical, career-ready graduates means local employers, from large companies like Northrop Grumman to innovative smaller firms, actively recruit from the program.

You'll develop a versatile skill set, blending hardware and software expertise, making you highly adaptable across roles like embedded systems development, hardware architecture, or specialized software engineering. While AI is transforming many fields, your foundational understanding of system design and integration positions you to leverage these tools effectively rather than be displaced. To truly capitalize on this program's strengths, focus heavily on securing internships; they are your direct pipeline to these regional employers and invaluable real-world experience.

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
$751K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple26.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$987K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score86/100
Earnings Multiple35.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,049K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score88/100
Earnings Multiple37.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Computer 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
Computer hardware engineers
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 4,700 openings/yr
$155,020/yr
Very High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Engineering

How CSU Long Beach stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.2x
ROI
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.5x
ROI
University of Virginia-Main Campus
VA · Public
84
DW Score
$118K
1-yr earn
15.6x
ROI
Same state (CA)
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
87
DW Score
$112K
1-yr earn
32.0x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$111K
1-yr earn
5.6x
ROI
Also at CSU Long Beach

Other top programs at CSU Long Beach

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Long Beach, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at CSU Long Beach

What does a 86/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?

At 86/100, 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 Computer Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?

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.

Is California State University-Long Beach one of the best schools for Computer Engineering?

Among 174 Computer Engineering programs, California State University-Long Beach's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.