Home Schools OSU Cascades Construction Engineering
Engineering · Construction Engineering Rank #2 of 14

Construction Engineeringat Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Graduates earn $80,936/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Construction Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $949K; scenarios range from $816K to $1,005K depending on AI disruption.

Bend, OR Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
77 STRONG
78
Optimistic
74
Pessimistic
Earnings
$80,936
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$949K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at OSU Cascades

This specialized Construction Engineering program at OSU-Cascades capitalizes on the robust development in Central Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest. You'll enter a field with consistent demand, driven by the region's expanding infrastructure, residential construction, and commercial projects. The program likely emphasizes practical application, preparing you for roles where hands-on project management and problem-solving are paramount. While the "AI risk" might appear high, it primarily signals the integration of advanced technologies like BIM (Building Information Modeling) and predictive analytics, which enhance efficiency rather than replacing the critical human element in design, oversight, and on-site management. Your ability to leverage these tools will be a significant asset. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships with local engineering firms and general contractors; these connections are invaluable for translating classroom knowledge into real-world experience and securing your first post-graduation role.

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
$816K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple16.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$949K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple18.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,005K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple20.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to OSU Cascades's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Construction 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
Engineers, all other
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 9,300 openings/yr
$117,750/yr
Moderate
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
4
Civil engineers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 23,600 openings/yr
$99,590/yr
High
5
Cost estimators
-4.2% 10-yr growth · 16,900 openings/yr
$77,070/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 Construction Engineering

How OSU Cascades stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California State University-Sacramento
CA · Public
80
DW Score
$91K
1-yr earn
41.0x
ROI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
VA · Public
74
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
14.6x
ROI
Same state (OR)
Oregon State University
OR · Public
76
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
18.7x
ROI
Iowa State University
IA · Public
76
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
21.7x
ROI
Purdue University-Main Campus
IN · Public
64
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
18.3x
ROI
Also at OSU Cascades

Other top programs at OSU Cascades

Other highest-scoring programs offered at OSU Cascades, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Construction Engineering at OSU Cascades

How does Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Construction Engineering program score?

A score of 77/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Construction Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Construction Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Construction Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Oregon State University-Cascades Campus rank so high for Construction Engineering?

The #2 ranking out of 14 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.