Home Schools University of Massachusetts-Lowell Computer Engineering
Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #148 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Graduates earn $85,280/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $853K; scenarios range from $674K to $898K depending on AI disruption.

Lowell, MA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
68 SOLID
70
Optimistic
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$85,280
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$853K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

At $85,280 per year, Computer Engineering graduates from University of Massachusetts-Lowell earn slightly above the $78,694 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 25% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $26,277 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #148 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, University of Massachusetts-Lowell falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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
$674K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple10.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$853K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple12.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$898K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Massachusetts-Lowell'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-Lowell 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-Lowell

Other top programs at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 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-Lowell

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

This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $673,616 in decade earnings vs $898,144 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.