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Computer Engineering at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
81
Base Case
76
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,049/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 20.4x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #74 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $1,239K $1,156K $847K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.9x 20.4x 15.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.4x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 81 76

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,828
3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,083
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$117,682
81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Riverside's Computer Engineering graduates start at $65,049/yr, trailing the $78,694 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 20.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Engineering carry above-average AI exposure (71% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $25,083 in median debt clears quickly against $65,049 in annual earnings.

A #74 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places University of California-Riverside in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $65,049-to-$117,682 earnings arc over five years reflects a 81% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Riverside

University of California-Riverside's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 22,644 in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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-Riverside

Computer Science ($81,034) Information Science/Studies ($76,090) Chemical Engineering ($68,245) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($66,430) Mechanical Engineering ($62,554) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($61,342) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($59,309) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,213)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 81/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of California-Riverside?
At 81/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at University of California-Riverside?
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-Riverside a good choice for Computer Engineering despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Riverside'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 →