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Computer Engineering at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
80
Optimistic
79
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,835/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #89 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,068K $1,004K $760K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.8x 17.7x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.6x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 79 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,668
Out-of-state: $179,776 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,976
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,003
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$102,036
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $58,835 per year, Computer Engineering graduates from University of California-Merced earn below the $78,694 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 29% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $19,003 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #89 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places University of California-Merced in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $58,835-to-$102,036 earnings arc over five years reflects a 73% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Merced

A 39% acceptance rate puts University of California-Merced in competitive admissions territory, with a mid-sized student body of 8,372 in Merced, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 59% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Merced →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering →

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($141,588) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($141,588) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($118,232) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($111,560) Duke University ($111,145) Santa Clara University ($103,804) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($103,123) Columbia University in the City of New York ($102,083)

Other Majors at University of California-Merced

Mechanical Engineering ($67,096) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($57,223) Economics ($51,212) Chemistry ($50,944) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($47,028) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,378) Applied Mathematics ($39,138) Sociology ($37,092)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of California-Merced?
At 79/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at University of California-Merced?
The 71% 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 University of California-Merced a good choice for Computer Engineering despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Merced's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →