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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #119 of 174

Computer Engineeringat Illinois Institute of Technology

Graduates earn $81,252/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $927K; scenarios range from $716K to $982K depending on AI disruption.

Chicago, IL Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
74
Optimistic
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$81,252
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$927K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Illinois Tech

First-year earnings of $81,252 track close to the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 4.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 71% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $26,000 in median debt against $81,252 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #119 out of 174 programs, Illinois Institute of Technology's financial outcomes for Computer Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $81,252 to $103,105 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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
$716K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$927K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple4.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$982K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple4.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Illinois Tech'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 Illinois Tech 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
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 Illinois Tech

Other top programs at Illinois Tech

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Illinois Tech, 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 Illinois Tech

How does Illinois Institute of Technology's Computer Engineering program score?

A score of 72/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Illinois Institute of Technology trails the majority of Computer Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

How affordable is Computer Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology after financial aid?

Sticker price is $207,052, but the average net cost is $77,412 — a 63% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.