Engineering Studies at Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Engineering, Other
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$74,668/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Medium (29,400 openings/yr)
ROI
18.4x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering Studies graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $759K | $734K | $648K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 19.0x | 18.4x | 16.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.6x | 6.4x | 5.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 73% | 66% | 49% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 60 | 59 | 57 |
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 (6.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,787
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
About Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue University-Main Campus accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with 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
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
$109,660/yr
Compare & Explore
Engineering Studies at Other Schools
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Engineering Studies at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Engineering Studies is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Engineering Studies at Purdue University-Main Campus?
The 48% 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →