Civil Engineeringat California State University-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $73,178/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Civil Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $919K; scenarios range from $788K to $970K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal State LA
Your strong returns in Cal State LA's Civil Engineering program reflect its strategic location within the sprawling Los Angeles metropolitan area. This region's continuous growth and complex infrastructure needs—ranging from vital transportation projects and water resource management to seismic retrofitting and urban development—create a robust and consistent demand for skilled civil engineers. The program likely benefits from deep, established connections with local public works departments, major construction companies, and prominent private engineering consultancies, providing a direct pipeline into the workforce. Graduates often find themselves tackling real-world challenges immediately, contributing to the very fabric of Southern California. To maximize your success, actively pursue internships and co-ops with these local employers; hands-on experience and professional networking are invaluable in securing prime positions within this dynamic regional market.
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 Cal State LA'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 Cal State LA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal State LA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal State LA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Civil Engineering at Cal State LA
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at California State University-Los Angeles?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $787,502 in decade earnings vs $970,225 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Los Angeles's Civil Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #4 of 220 programs nationally, California State University-Los Angeles lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.