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Engineering · Engineering Studies Rank #7 of 16

Engineering Studiesat Oregon State University

Graduates earn $71,549/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Engineering Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $797K; scenarios range from $694K to $828K depending on AI disruption.

Corvallis, OR Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
69 SOLID
70
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$71,549
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$797K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Oregon State University

Oregon State's "Engineering, Other" degree offers a broad foundation, distinguishing itself by preparing you for a diverse set of roles that don't fit neatly into traditional specializations. This flexibility is a significant asset, allowing graduates to adapt to shifting industry demands. Located in Corvallis, the program benefits from strong ties to Oregon's growing tech and manufacturing sectors, particularly with companies in the "Silicon Forest" region around Portland and Hillsboro, which actively recruit from OSU. You'll find strong opportunities in product development, process improvement, and R&D.

The program's robust research environment and hands-on learning prepare you for leadership and specialized application within engineering. Given the evolving landscape of technical careers, focusing on interdisciplinary projects and developing critical problem-solving and communication skills will be paramount. These higher-order abilities are what truly differentiate successful engineers in a rapidly changing world. Your actionable advice: leverage the program's breadth by actively seeking internships and electives in emerging fields that align with your interests, building a unique portfolio of skills.

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
$694K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple12.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$797K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple14.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$828K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple15.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Engineering Studies 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
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$109,660/yr
High
4
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 Engineering Studies

How Oregon State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Maryland-College Park
MD · Public
72
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
19.1x
ROI
Ohio State University-Main Campus
OH · Public
72
DW Score
$79K
1-yr earn
18.2x
ROI
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
NY · Public
61
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
21.8x
ROI
Top score
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
MA · Public
73
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
22.8x
ROI
Colorado State University Pueblo
CO · Public
73
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
25.0x
ROI
Also at Oregon State University

Other top programs at Oregon State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Oregon State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Engineering Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Engineering Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Engineering Studies at Oregon State University

How does Oregon State University's Engineering Studies program score?

This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Engineering Studies graduates.

How vulnerable is Engineering Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Engineering Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.