Civil Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,283/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 22.6x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #65 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $835K $798K $698K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.6x 22.6x 19.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.5x 9.1x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,328
Out-of-state: $87,456 (9.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,908
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,750
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,553
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $62,283/yr, Civil Engineering graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham land near the $69,097 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 22.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% 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 $25,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #65 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places University of Alabama at Birmingham in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 36% earnings increase from $62,283 to $84,553 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Alabama at Birmingham prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 12,118 in Birmingham, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
At 72/100, 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →