Civil Engineering at University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,260/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (12.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #48 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Civil Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $829K $793K $694K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.9x 18.1x 15.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.3x 12.7x 11.1x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,804
Out-of-state: $62,280 (12.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,992
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,211
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,788
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,260/yr, edging above the $69,097 national average for Civil Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Civil Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,211 in median debt against $73,260 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #48 of 220 nationally, this is a top-5% Civil Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $86,788 are relatively flat compared to the $73,260 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 9,296 students in Grand Forks, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Dakota →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at University of North Dakota?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Civil Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $694,335 in decade earnings vs $828,930 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Dakota's Civil Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #48 of 220 programs nationally, University of North Dakota lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →