Computer Engineeringat University of California-Riverside
Graduates earn $65,049/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,156K; scenarios range from $847K to $1,239K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Riverside
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.
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 Riverside'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 Riverside stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Riverside
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Riverside, 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 Riverside
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.