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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #93 of 174

Computer Engineeringat Santa Clara University

Graduates earn $103,804/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,817K; scenarios range from $1,227K to $1,983K depending on AI disruption.

Santa Clara, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
77 STRONG
78
Optimistic
71
Pessimistic
Earnings
$103,804
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,817K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Santa Clara University

The exceptional financial outcomes you see for Santa Clara's Computer Engineering program are deeply rooted in its unique position within the heart of Silicon Valley. Being steps away from global tech giants, innovative startups, and established hardware firms means unparalleled access to internships and full-time roles right out of college. The program itself likely fosters a practical, industry-aligned curriculum, feeding directly into robust recruiting pipelines for high-demand roles like software development, hardware engineering, and technical management within this incredibly competitive and high-paying regional labor market. Your education here isn't just theoretical; it's often shaped by direct industry input. To truly leverage this advantage, aggressively pursue every internship and co-op opportunity available to build your professional network and secure your footing in the local tech ecosystem.

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
$1,227K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple5.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,817K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple7.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,983K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple8.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Santa Clara 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 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
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Computer hardware engineers
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 4,700 openings/yr
$155,020/yr
Very High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
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

How Santa Clara University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.2x
ROI
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.5x
ROI
University of Virginia-Main Campus
VA · Public
84
DW Score
$118K
1-yr earn
15.6x
ROI
Same state (CA)
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
87
DW Score
$112K
1-yr earn
32.0x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$111K
1-yr earn
5.6x
ROI
Also at Santa Clara University

Other top programs at Santa Clara University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Santa Clara University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at Santa Clara University

What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at Santa Clara University?

At 77/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Engineering 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 Computer Engineering at Santa Clara University?

The 71% 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.