Civil Engineering at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,256/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 31.9x earnings multiple (12.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $1,003K $948K $809K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 33.8x 31.9x 27.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.0x 12.3x 10.5x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (12.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,807
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $68,256/yr, Civil Engineering graduates from San Francisco State University land near the $69,097 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 31.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $17,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #11 of 220 nationally, this is a top-5% Civil Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $68,256 to $100,807 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About San Francisco State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, San Francisco State University prioritizes broad access, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State University →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at San Francisco State University?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $809,170 in decade earnings vs $1,003,087 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes San Francisco State University's Civil Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #11 of 220 programs nationally, San Francisco State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →