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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #42 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Graduates earn $89,327/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,113K; scenarios range from $823K to $1,191K depending on AI disruption.

Amherst, MA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
84 STRONG
86
Optimistic
78
Pessimistic
Earnings
$89,327
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,113K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

At $89,327 per year, Computer Engineering graduates from University of Massachusetts-Amherst earn slightly above the $78,694 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

The 31% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 71% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Engineering graduates.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #42 of 174 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $89,327 to $123,984 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$823K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple11.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,113K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple16.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,191K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score86/100
Earnings Multiple17.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Massachusetts-Amherst's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Engineering graduates typically work

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.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Computer hardware engineers
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 4,700 openings/yr
$155,020/yr
Very High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Engineering

How University of Massachusetts-Amherst stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.2x
ROI
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.5x
ROI
University of Virginia-Main Campus
VA · Public
84
DW Score
$118K
1-yr earn
15.6x
ROI
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
87
DW Score
$112K
1-yr earn
32.0x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$111K
1-yr earn
5.6x
ROI
Also at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Other top programs at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?

This program scores 84/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?

With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $822,872 in decade earnings vs $1,190,897 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Computer Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #42 of 174 programs nationally, University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.