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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #1 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Graduates earn $141,588/yr in their first year — about 80.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,982K; scenarios range from $1,322K to $2,169K depending on AI disruption.

Seattle, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
88 ELITE
89
Optimistic
83
Pessimistic
Earnings
$141,588
1-year post-graduation
ROI
43.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,982K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Washington

Your choice of Computer Engineering at the University of Washington-Seattle places you at the epicenter of technological innovation. This program benefits immensely from its location in one of the world's most dynamic tech hubs, fostering unparalleled access to industry leaders. The deep connections between the UW engineering department and major employers like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and a burgeoning startup scene mean graduates are highly sought after, driving competitive compensation right from graduation.

You'll find yourself immersed in a rigorous curriculum that bridges the gap between hardware and software, preparing you for roles in system design, embedded systems, or optimizing performance for complex applications. The strong alumni network and dedicated career services often translate into robust internship pipelines, which are critical for securing those high-impact positions. To truly maximize your potential, proactively seek out these experiential learning opportunities and continuously adapt your skills to the rapid advancements in areas like artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

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
$1,322K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple26.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,982K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score88/100
Earnings Multiple39.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$2,169K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score89/100
Earnings Multiple42.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Washington'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 Washington stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
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
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
7.1x
ROI
Also at University of Washington

Other top programs at University of Washington

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

How does University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Computer Engineering program score?

A score of 88/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Computer Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University of Washington-Seattle Campus rank so high for Computer Engineering?

The #1 ranking out of 174 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.