Home Schools CSU San Bernardino Computer Engineering
Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #90 of 174

Computer Engineeringat California State University-San Bernardino

Graduates earn $49,043/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,022K; scenarios range from $771K to $1,088K depending on AI disruption.

San Bernardino, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
78 STRONG
79
Optimistic
72
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,043
1-year post-graduation
ROI
30.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,022K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU San Bernardino

The earnings data reflects the unique labor market dynamics of the Inland Empire, rather than a deficiency in your education. While your Computer Engineering degree from CSUSB provides a strong technical foundation, the local economy isn't a primary hub for the high-paying R&D and startup tech roles found in Silicon Valley or other major tech centers. Instead, graduates often find opportunities with regional logistics companies, local government, or smaller businesses that, while stable and impactful, operate on different compensation scales. Many students choose CSUSB precisely for its accessibility and strong regional connections. To bridge this gap and maximize your earning potential, actively pursue internships with larger tech firms outside the immediate area during your studies, network broadly, and be prepared to consider relocation for your initial post-graduation role to tap into those higher-paying markets.

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
$771K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple25.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,022K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple33.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,088K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple35.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU San Bernardino'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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino

Other top programs at CSU San Bernardino

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino

What does a 78/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at California State University-San Bernardino?

At 78/100, 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 California State University-San Bernardino?

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-San Bernardino a good choice for Computer Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-San Bernardino's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.