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Engineering, Other at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,522/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (29,400 openings/yr)
ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 16 Engineering, Other programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $919K $879K $755K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.0x 14.4x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.8x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,954
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,292
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-San Diego's Engineering, Other graduates start at $56,522/yr, trailing the $69,929 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 14.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Engineering, Other career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,954 in median debt clears quickly against $56,522 in annual earnings.

A #9 ranking among 16 Engineering, Other programs places University of California-San Diego in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $56,522-to-$94,292 earnings arc over five years reflects a 67% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-San Diego

Admission to University of California-San Diego is competitive, with 25% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 33,787 in La Jolla, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors $109,660/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 16 schools offering Engineering, Other →

Engineering, Other at Other Schools

University of Maryland-College Park ($80,931) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($78,734) SUNY Polytechnic Institute ($78,264) Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($77,421) Colorado State University Pueblo ($76,059) Northeastern University ($75,253) Purdue University-Main Campus ($74,668) California State University-Chico ($74,204)

Other Majors at University of California-San Diego

Computer Science ($112,006) Computer Engineering ($96,256) Mathematics and Computer Science ($89,651) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,687) Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology ($76,592) Mechanical Engineering ($69,555) Biological/Biosystems Engineering ($67,016) Civil Engineering ($65,478)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Engineering, Other 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 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Engineering, Other at University of California-San Diego?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Engineering, Other 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 Engineering, Other at University of California-San Diego?
The 48% 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-San Diego a good choice for Engineering, Other despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-San Diego'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 →