Civil Engineeringat Valparaiso University
Graduates earn $69,549/yr in their first year — about 1.0% above the national Civil Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $739K; scenarios range from $654K to $768K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $69,549/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.
The 4.0x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.
AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $69,549 in annual earnings.
At #200 out of 220 programs, Valparaiso University's financial outcomes for Civil Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $69,549 to $80,194 over five years (15% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
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 Valparaiso University'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 Civil Engineering
How Valparaiso University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Valparaiso University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Valparaiso University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Civil Engineering at Valparaiso University
How does Valparaiso University's Civil Engineering program score?
A score of 58/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Valparaiso University trails the majority of Civil Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Civil Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Civil Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Civil Engineering at Valparaiso University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $186,352, but the average net cost is $86,332 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.