Home Schools University of Nevada-Reno Computer Engineering
Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #44 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Nevada-Reno

Graduates earn $69,310/yr in their first year — about 12.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,009K; scenarios range from $763K to $1,074K depending on AI disruption.

Reno, NV Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
84 STRONG
85
Optimistic
78
Pessimistic
Earnings
$69,310
1-year post-graduation
ROI
28.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,009K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nevada-Reno

First-year earnings of $69,310 track close to the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 28.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 71% task exposure — and the 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $21,500 in median debt against $69,310 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #44 out of 174 programs, University of Nevada-Reno's Computer Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $69,310 to $107,148 over five years (55% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary 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
$763K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple21.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,009K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple28.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,074K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score85/100
Earnings Multiple29.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Nevada-Reno

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nevada-Reno, 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 Nevada-Reno

How does University of Nevada-Reno's Computer Engineering program score?

A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Nevada-Reno's Computer Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University of Nevada-Reno rank so high for Computer Engineering?

The #44 ranking out of 174 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.