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Civil Engineering at University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,885/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #42 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $774K $744K $658K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.9x 21.1x 18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.2x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,264
Out-of-state: $119,136 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,128
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,125
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,624
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $68,885 track close to the $69,097 national median for Civil Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 21.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $20,125 in median debt against $68,885 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #42 out of 220 programs, University of Idaho's Civil Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $68,885 to $80,624 over five years (17% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of Idaho

University of Idaho has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 7,363 students in Moscow, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Idaho →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Other Majors at University of Idaho

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,700) Chemical Engineering ($75,915) Computer Science ($70,276) Mechanical Engineering ($65,409) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($59,334) Management Information Systems and Services ($52,920) Human Resources Management and Services ($49,442) Agricultural Business and Management ($48,338)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Idaho's Civil Engineering program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Idaho's Civil Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Civil Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Civil Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Idaho rank so high for Civil Engineering?
The #42 ranking out of 220 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →