Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,148/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #94 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

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 $767K $737K $607K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 12.8x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.3x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,352
Out-of-state: $117,440 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,252
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,250
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,522
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $71,148/yr, Computer Engineering graduates from University of Illinois Chicago land near the $78,694 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 12.8x 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 — 71% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $19,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #94 out of 174 programs, University of Illinois Chicago's financial outcomes for Computer Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $71,148 to $80,522 over five years (13% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of Illinois Chicago

With 78% of applicants admitted, University of Illinois Chicago prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 21,814 students in Chicago, IL. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Chicago →

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

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Illinois Chicago

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does University of Illinois Chicago's Computer Engineering program score?
A score of 77/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Illinois Chicago trails the majority of Computer Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →