Engineering-Related Fields at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,234/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #31 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs

Program Analysis

USC's elite Viterbi School of Engineering consistently places graduates into highly competitive roles, a testament to the program's rigorous academics and robust industry connections. Your strong outcomes are significantly shaped by the university's prime Los Angeles location, a vibrant hub for aerospace, entertainment technology, and a burgeoning tech startup scene. This ecosystem creates intense demand for skilled engineers, fostering a dynamic job market where you'll find opportunities with major players like Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, and a myriad of innovative smaller firms. The intensive project-based learning and research opportunities common in these programs prepare you for the complex, evolving challenges of modern engineering. While the field faces high AI risk, this often translates into a demand for engineers who can lead innovation with AI. Your key takeaway: aggressively pursue the extensive internship opportunities available to specialize your skills and build your professional network from day one.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $685K $671K $608K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,250
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Industrial production managers $121,440/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering-Related Fields at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering-Related Fields at University of Southern California?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Engineering-Related Fields. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Engineering-Related Fields careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $607,923 in decade earnings vs $684,834 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Engineering-Related Fields?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →