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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #43 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $92,501/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,095K; scenarios range from $812K to $1,170K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
84 STRONG
86
Optimistic
78
Pessimistic
Earnings
$92,501
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,095K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

Your impressive career prospects from U-M's Computer Engineering program stem directly from the College of Engineering's elite standing and its powerful recruiting pipelines. Top tech companies, automotive innovation labs, and defense contractors actively seek out Michigan graduates, recognizing the rigorous training in both hardware and software design. This comprehensive approach means you’re not just coding; you’re often building the embedded systems, high-performance computing architectures, or specialized hardware that powers next-generation technologies. The university’s strong alumni network, particularly in Silicon Valley and the Midwest tech corridor, further enhances job placement and career mobility. This blend of skills makes you incredibly valuable in an AI-driven world, as you'll be instrumental in designing the infrastructure AI relies on. To maximize your advantage, focus on gaining practical experience through internships and hands-on projects, which are critical for securing top-tier positions.

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
$812K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple11.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,095K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple15.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,170K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score86/100
Earnings Multiple17.0x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, 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 Michigan

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

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 $812,333 in decade earnings vs $1,170,224 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Computer Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #43 of 174 programs nationally, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.