Engineeringat University of California-Davis
Graduates earn $82,956/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,043K; scenarios range from $880K to $1,095K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Davis
Your UC Davis General Engineering degree offers a strong foundation, opening doors to a wide array of opportunities across Northern California's dynamic economy. The program's rigorous curriculum, combined with the university's strong research profile and proximity to both the Bay Area and Sacramento, means graduates are highly sought after by tech giants, biotech firms, and state agencies alike. This broad engineering education equips you with versatile problem-solving skills, enabling you to step into roles ranging from product development and project management to operations and R&D. While this versatility is a major asset, especially as AI reshapes the job market, you should actively pursue internships or a specialized minor to refine your focus and build a unique professional identity.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Davis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Engineering
How UC Davis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Davis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Davis, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Engineering at UC Davis
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering at University of California-Davis?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Engineering careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $879,817 in decade earnings vs $1,094,891 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Davis's Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 47 programs nationally, University of California-Davis lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.