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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #63 of 174

Computer Engineeringat Michigan State University

Graduates earn $83,934/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $909K; scenarios range from $706K to $961K depending on AI disruption.

East Lansing, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
82 STRONG
84
Optimistic
75
Pessimistic
Earnings
$83,934
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$909K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Michigan State University

Graduates earn $83,934/yr, edging above the $78,694 national average for Computer Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 27% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,000 in median debt against $83,934 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #63 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, Michigan State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $83,934 to $101,837 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career 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
$706K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$909K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple14.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$961K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple15.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Michigan State University'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 Michigan State University 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 Michigan State University

Other top programs at Michigan State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Michigan State University, 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 Michigan State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at Michigan State University?

This program scores 82/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?

With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $705,894 in decade earnings vs $961,455 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.