Home Schools Sam Houston State University Computer Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology · Computer Engineering Technology Rank #29 of 29

Computer Engineering Technologyat Sam Houston State University

Graduates earn $38,957/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Computer Engineering Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $471K; scenarios range from $447K to $467K depending on AI disruption.

Huntsville, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,957
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$471K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
57% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Sam Houston State University

The data for this program signals a particularly challenging path, indicating that graduates often face a steeper climb to establish a strong career footing. The "Technologies/Technicians" focus typically prepares you for more applied, hands-on roles in IT support, hardware, or quality assurance, rather than the higher-paying, theoretical engineering or software development positions. While careers like software development are listed, the actual outcomes suggest graduates often land in technician roles, which are generally compensated at a lower rate.

The local labor market around Huntsville, while offering opportunities, may not have the high density of tech companies or the salary benchmarks found in major tech hubs, leading to more modest starting wages. Furthermore, many technician-level tasks, especially in areas like testing and routine IT maintenance, are becoming increasingly susceptible to automation, contributing to the high AI risk. To succeed here, you'll need to aggressively pursue multiple internships, build a robust portfolio of personal projects, and potentially seek specialized certifications to differentiate yourself.

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
$447K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple12.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$471K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple12.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$467K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple12.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Computer Engineering Technology 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
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
2
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
+10.0% 10-yr growth · 14,000 openings/yr
$102,610/yr
Very High
3
Computer programmers
-6.0% 10-yr growth · 5,500 openings/yr
$98,670/yr
Very High
4
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$77,390/yr
Low
5
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 8,400 openings/yr
$77,180/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Engineering Technology

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

Highest earnings
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
NY · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Top score
Oregon Institute of Technology
OR · Public
77
DW Score
$82K
1-yr earn
19.0x
ROI
Brigham Young University-Idaho
ID · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
39.7x
ROI
Rochester Institute of Technology
NY · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Same state (TX)
University of Houston-Downtown
TX · Public
75
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
25.5x
ROI
Also at Sam Houston State University

Other top programs at Sam Houston State University

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

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Computer Engineering Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Engineering Technology at Sam Houston State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering Technology at Sam Houston State University?

A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Computer Engineering Technology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Computer Engineering Technology careers?

With 67% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $447,400 in decade earnings vs $467,256 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer Engineering Technology from Sam Houston State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.