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Environmental Engineering at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $47,028/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Medium (23,100 openings/yr)

ROI 14.3x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #26 of 47 Environmental Health Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$842K	$809K	$697K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.9x	14.3x	12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.7x	4.5x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	66%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	59	58

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 (4.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$50,976

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,619

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$83,194

77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,028 place University of California-Merced below the $63,650 national median for Environmental Engineering — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Environmental Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Environmental Engineering's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $47,028 far exceeding the $20,619 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #26 of 47 Environmental Engineering programs, University of California-Merced falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $83,194 show a 77% jump from the $47,028 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Merced

University of California-Merced accepts 39% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, 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

Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors $109,660/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Merced

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Environmental Engineering at University of California-Merced?

This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Environmental Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Environmental Engineering careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $697,186 in decade earnings vs $842,430 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Environmental Engineering from University of California-Merced?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →