Computer Engineeringat Washington State University
Graduates earn $87,135/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $984K; scenarios range from $749K to $1,046K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Washington State University
Graduates earn $87,135/yr, edging above the $78,694 national average for Computer Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
The 18.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 71% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $19,902 in median debt against $87,135 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #36 out of 174 programs, Washington State University's Computer Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $87,135 to $110,492 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
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 Washington State 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 Computer Engineering
How Washington State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Washington State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington State University, 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at Washington State University
How does Washington State University's Computer Engineering program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Washington State University'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 Washington State University rank so high for Computer Engineering?
The #36 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.