Computer Engineeringat University of California-Merced
Graduates earn $58,835/yr in their first year — about 25.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,004K; scenarios range from $760K to $1,068K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Merced
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.
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 Merced'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 Computer Engineering
How UC Merced stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Merced
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Merced, 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at UC Merced
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.