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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #48 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Virginia-Main Campus

Graduates earn $118,232/yr in their first year — about 50.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,190K; scenarios range from $867K to $1,278K depending on AI disruption.

Charlottesville, VA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
84 STRONG
85
Optimistic
79
Pessimistic
Earnings
$118,232
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,190K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Virginia

University of Virginia's Computer Engineering program benefits immensely from the university's elite reputation and a curriculum designed for technical rigor. Your education here doesn't just provide a strong theoretical foundation; it’s highly practical, covering both advanced hardware design and complex software development. This versatility makes you incredibly attractive to a broad spectrum of employers. While Charlottesville isn't a tech epicenter, UVA's strong national recruiting pipeline, fueled by its robust alumni network, ensures graduates find opportunities in major tech hubs, from the DC metro area's defense and government contractors to leading tech firms on the West Coast. To truly capitalize on this, focus on securing internships that align with your specific interests, whether in embedded systems, AI hardware, or cloud architecture, leveraging the alumni connections to open doors.

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
$867K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple10.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,190K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple14.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,278K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score85/100
Earnings Multiple15.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Virginia'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 Virginia 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
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
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
7.1x
ROI
Also at University of Virginia

Other top programs at University of Virginia

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Virginia, 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 Virginia

What does a 84/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus?

At 84/100, 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 Virginia-Main Campus?

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.