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Computer Engineering at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $69,291/yr (-12% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)

ROI 24.4x earnings multiple (12.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #59 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,048K	$986K	$750K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	26.0x	24.4x	18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	13.0x	12.3x	9.3x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	74%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	85	83	77

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,336

Out-of-state: $80,464 (12.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,828

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$105,082

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,291/yr, roughly in line with the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 24.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 28% gap from the optimistic case.

At #59 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, Tennessee Technological University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $105,082 show a 52% jump from the $69,291 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,495 in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tennessee Technological University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at Tennessee Technological University?

This program scores 83/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?

With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $750,116 in decade earnings vs $1,048,197 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →