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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #13 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of South Florida

Graduates earn $83,660/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $890K; scenarios range from $695K to $940K depending on AI disruption.

Tampa, FL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
86 ELITE
88
Optimistic
79
Pessimistic
Earnings
$83,660
1-year post-graduation
ROI
37.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$890K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of South Florida

University of South Florida's Computer Engineering graduates start at $83,660/yr — above the $78,694 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 34.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 26% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $23,172 in median debt clears quickly against $83,660 in annual earnings.

At #13 of 174 programs, this Computer Engineering program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $83,660 to $99,737 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
$695K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple27.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$890K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score86/100
Earnings Multiple34.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$940K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score88/100
Earnings Multiple36.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of South Florida

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Florida, 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 South Florida

What does a 86/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of South Florida?

At 86/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at University of South Florida?

The 71% 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.