Civil Engineering at Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
58
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,087/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #203 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 $852K $813K $710K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 58 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$242,652
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$153,712
37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,709
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $72,087/yr, roughly in line with the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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.

With first-year pay of $72,087 far exceeding the $31,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #203 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, Drexel University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $72,087 to $88,709 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Drexel University

Drexel University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 13,509 students in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $153,712 over four years represents a 37% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Drexel 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at Drexel University?
This program scores 58/100 — 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 $709,564 in decade earnings vs $852,026 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →