Civil Engineeringat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $67,764/yr in their first year — about 2.0% below the national Civil Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $826K; scenarios range from $719K to $866K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
While a UMich Civil Engineering degree carries significant prestige, its career trajectory reflects the realities of a foundational field. The program's rigor and reputation attract top talent, but initial earnings can be shaped by regional labor markets, particularly if you remain in the Midwest where major infrastructure projects, while plentiful, may not command the highest entry-level salaries compared to coastal hubs. You'll likely find opportunities with state agencies, major consulting firms like AECOM or HDR, and construction giants, often working on critical infrastructure, environmental projects, or urban development.
However, many core civil engineering tasks are increasingly susceptible to AI augmentation. To truly thrive and secure your future, actively pursue specializations during your studies—think advanced computational modeling, smart city infrastructure, or sustainable design. Leveraging the strong UMich alumni network for internships and exploring opportunities beyond traditional roles will be key to maximizing your long-term earnings and career resilience.
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 University of Michigan'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 Civil Engineering
How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Civil Engineering at University of Michigan
What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
At 68/100, the score looks reasonable — but Civil Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
The 49% 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.