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Construction Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,966/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Large (68,400 openings/yr)
ROI 19.4x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 14 Construction Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $811K $777K $686K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.3x 19.4x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.7x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 73% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 62

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 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,625
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Purdue University-Main Campus's Construction Engineering program produces graduates earning $76,966/yr — within striking distance of the $76,543 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Construction Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Construction Engineering's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,625 in median debt clears quickly against $76,966 in annual earnings.

Ranked #9 of 14 Construction Engineering programs, Purdue University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, 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
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 14 schools offering Construction Engineering →

Construction Engineering at Other Schools

California State University-Sacramento ($90,836) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($82,627) Oregon State University ($80,936) Oregon State University-Cascades Campus ($80,936) Iowa State University ($77,845) North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($76,574) Texas Tech University ($75,421) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($74,445)

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) Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($75,913)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Construction Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus?
This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Construction Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Construction Engineering careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $685,962 in decade earnings vs $811,074 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →