Ocean Engineeringat University of Rhode Island
Graduates earn $70,939/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Ocean Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $763K; scenarios range from $672K to $788K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Rhode Island
URI's Ocean Engineering program offers a distinct advantage, being one of only four nationally. This specialization funnels you into a highly focused, yet robust, labor market. Your strong earning potential isn't just about technical skill; it's about the unique value you bring to critical sectors. Expect opportunities with defense contractors like General Dynamics Electric Boat, burgeoning offshore renewable energy firms, and coastal protection agencies across the Northeast. While AI's influence is growing in engineering, it primarily augments design and analytical processes, making your problem-solving and field application skills even more vital. To truly thrive, aggressively seek out internships and research projects early on; these connections are invaluable in such a specialized, close-knit field.
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 Rhode Island'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 Ocean Engineering
How University of Rhode Island stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Rhode Island
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Rhode Island, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Ocean Engineering at University of Rhode Island
What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Ocean Engineering at University of Rhode Island?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Ocean 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 Ocean Engineering at University of Rhode Island?
The 46% 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.