Computer Engineeringat North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Graduates earn $82,997/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $999K; scenarios range from $758K to $1,063K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at NC State
At $82,997 per year, Computer Engineering graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn slightly above the $78,694 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 28.1x 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 29% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $22,681 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #17 of 174 programs, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Computer Engineering program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $82,997 to $110,896 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Computer Engineering
How NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at NC State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at NC State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
This program scores 86/100 — 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 $757,709 in decade earnings vs $1,063,084 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.