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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #88 of 174

Computer Engineeringat The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Graduates earn $57,841/yr in their first year — about 26.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $841K; scenarios range from $667K to $885K depending on AI disruption.

Edinburg, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
79 STRONG
80
Optimistic
73
Pessimistic
Earnings
$57,841
1-year post-graduation
ROI
21.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$841K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Starting salaries of $57,841/yr fall 26% below the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.3x 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 25% gap from the optimistic case.

At $15,902 in median debt against $57,841 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #88 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $87,467 show a 51% jump from the $57,841 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
$667K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple16.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$841K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple21.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$885K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple22.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley'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 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 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 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Other top programs at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 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 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

This program scores 79/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $667,043 in decade earnings vs $885,257 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer Engineering from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.