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Civil Engineering at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
61
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,261/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #179 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 $956K $906K $778K
Earnings Multiple 3.6x 3.4x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 61 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,056
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,348
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,258
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Cornell University's Civil Engineering graduates start at $80,261/yr — above the $69,097 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 19% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,500 in median debt clears quickly against $80,261 in annual earnings.

A #179 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places Cornell University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 25% earnings increase from $80,261 to $100,258 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Cornell University

Only 8% of applicants gain admission to Cornell University, reflecting elite selectivity, serving 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell 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

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142) Lawrence Technological University ($77,836)

Other Majors at Cornell University

Computer Science ($152,656) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($103,650) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($100,516) Operations Research ($96,377) Agricultural Business and Management ($92,163) Mathematics ($87,251) Chemical Engineering ($85,578) Mechanical Engineering ($85,440)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at Cornell University?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Civil 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 Civil Engineering at Cornell University?
The 49% 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.
What do students actually pay for Civil Engineering at Cornell University?
The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →