Civil Engineering at University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,979/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 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 $785K $754K $665K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.1x 19.3x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.5x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,992
Out-of-state: $115,088 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,100
-80% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,071
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $61,979/yr, roughly in line with the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $61,979 far exceeding the $25,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #93 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, University of Arkansas scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $61,979 to $80,071 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 27,312 students in Fayetteville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at University of Arkansas?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $665,416 in decade earnings vs $785,070 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →