Computer Engineeringat University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Graduates earn $103,123/yr in their first year — about 31.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,194K; scenarios range from $869K to $1,282K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UIUC
Your strong earnings potential in Computer Engineering at UIUC stems from its globally recognized College of Engineering. This isn't just a regional powerhouse; its rigorous curriculum and cutting-edge research in areas like AI hardware, embedded systems, and distributed computing attract top-tier recruiters from Silicon Valley, Chicago, and beyond. You'll enter a robust pipeline to leading tech firms, innovative startups, and defense contractors, all seeking graduates with deep theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This blend of hardware and software expertise makes you exceptionally versatile. Despite the general AI risk in the field, your UIUC foundation equips you to build, manage, and secure the AI systems of tomorrow, rather than merely being replaced by them. Leverage the extensive alumni network and career services to secure multiple internships; they are crucial for maximizing your post-graduation opportunities.
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 UIUC'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 UIUC stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UIUC
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UIUC, 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 UIUC
What does a 86/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
At 86/100, 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
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.