Home › The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga › Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,419/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)

ROI 21.0x earnings multiple (11.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #55 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 25%

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	$897K	$853K	$739K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.1x	21.0x	18.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.3x	11.7x	10.1x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	75%	55%
DegreeOutlook Score	74	73	72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,576

Out-of-state: $72,832 (11.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,268

-26% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,000

3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$90,909

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $65,419/yr, Civil Engineering graduates from The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga land near the $69,097 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 21.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga ranks #55 among 220 Civil Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 39% earnings increase from $65,419 to $90,909 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

With 77% of applicants admitted, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga prioritizes broad access, serving 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →

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

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

The 49% 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.

Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga one of the best schools for Civil Engineering?

Among 220 Civil Engineering programs, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's #55 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

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