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Civil Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,369/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 19.5x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #32 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Civil Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $814K $779K $684K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.4x 19.5x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 6.8x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 74 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,536
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,369/yr, edging above the $69,097 national average for Civil Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 19.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,500 in median debt against $74,369 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Purdue University-Main Campus ranks #32 among 220 Civil Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $74,369 to $85,536 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

With a 50% acceptance rate, Purdue University-Main Campus is moderately selective, serving a student body of 39,637 in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Civil Engineering?
Among 220 Civil Engineering programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's #32 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →