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Civil Engineering at Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,748/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #186 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

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 $936K $889K $765K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.5x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,244
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$164,104
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,093
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $74,748 at Syracuse University come in 8% above the national median of $69,097 for Civil Engineering programs.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $74,748 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #186 out of 220 programs, Syracuse University's financial outcomes for Civil Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $74,748 to $97,093 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Syracuse University

A 42% admission rate makes Syracuse University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 15,245 students in Syracuse, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $164,104 over four years — 35% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Syracuse 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

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Other Majors at Syracuse University

Computer Engineering ($84,793) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,494) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($82,378) Accounting and Related Services ($75,294) Information Science/Studies ($73,033) Chemical Engineering ($72,864) Finance and Financial Management Services ($72,819) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,417)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Syracuse University's Civil Engineering program score?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Syracuse University trails the majority of Civil Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Civil Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Civil Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →