Engineering Studiesat University of California-San Diego
Graduates earn $56,522/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national Engineering Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $879K; scenarios range from $755K to $919K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC San Diego
While UCSD's "Engineering, Other" program is nationally recognized for its quality, the earnings data suggests graduates often pursue diverse, perhaps less traditional, engineering pathways immediately after graduation. This category frequently encompasses interdisciplinary fields or those with strong research components, aligning with UCSD's reputation as a top-tier research institution. Many graduates might enter roles in biotech, medical devices, or defense within the San Diego ecosystem, or even pursue further graduate studies, which can defer peak earning potential. The robust local innovation economy, particularly in life sciences and advanced manufacturing, offers unique opportunities for these specialized engineers. Given the high AI risk in engineering generally, focus on developing critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and adaptability – skills that are inherently less automatable and will make your "other" engineering expertise invaluable.
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 San Diego'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 Engineering Studies
How UC San Diego stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC San Diego
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC San Diego, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Engineering Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Engineering Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Engineering Studies at UC San Diego
What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Engineering Studies at University of California-San Diego?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Engineering Studies 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 Studies 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 Studies 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.