Civil Engineering at Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,386/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #113 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Civil Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $862K $822K $716K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.9x 13.2x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.2x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$62,216
Out-of-state: $157,992 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,448
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,912
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,941
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Clemson University's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $69,386/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,912 in median debt clears quickly against $69,386 in annual earnings.

Ranked #113 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, Clemson University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $69,386 to $88,941 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Clemson University

Admission to Clemson University is competitive, with 38% of applicants accepted, with 22,778 students enrolled in Clemson, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Clemson University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clemson University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at Clemson University?
This program scores 70/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Civil Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $715,967 in decade earnings vs $861,736 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →