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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #59 of 174

Computer Engineeringat Tennessee Technological University

Graduates earn $69,291/yr in their first year — about 12.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $986K; scenarios range from $750K to $1,048K depending on AI disruption.

Cookeville, TN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
83 STRONG
85
Optimistic
77
Pessimistic
Earnings
$69,291
1-year post-graduation
ROI
25.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$986K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Tennessee Technological University

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.

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
$750K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple18.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$986K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple24.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,048K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score85/100
Earnings Multiple26.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Tennessee Technological 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 Tennessee Technological 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
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 Tennessee Technological University

Other top programs at Tennessee Technological University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Tennessee Technological 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 Tennessee Technological University

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.