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Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
68
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,964/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #151 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $876K $833K $662K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 12.7x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.3x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 68 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,808
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,605
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Virginia Commonwealth University's Computer Engineering graduates start at $82,964/yr — above the $78,694 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 12.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 24% 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 — $23,605 in median debt clears quickly against $82,964 in annual earnings.

A #151 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places Virginia Commonwealth University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

A 93% acceptance rate means Virginia Commonwealth University is accessible to most applicants, with 20,797 students enrolled in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering →

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($141,588) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($141,588) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($118,232) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($111,560) Duke University ($111,145) Santa Clara University ($103,804) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($103,123) Columbia University in the City of New York ($102,083)

Other Majors at Virginia Commonwealth University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($84,338) Chemical Engineering ($79,721) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,938) Mechanical Engineering ($73,355) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($72,808) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,847) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($67,072) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($66,750)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University?
At 68/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →