Civil Engineering at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,062/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #87 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $788K $756K $667K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.4x 19.6x 17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 6.9x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,556
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

West Virginia University's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $67,062/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

With a 19.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,250 in median debt clears quickly against $67,062 in annual earnings.

A #87 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places West Virginia University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 22% earnings increase from $67,062 to $81,556 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About West Virginia University

A 86% acceptance rate means West Virginia University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 17,705 in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at West Virginia University?
At 72/100, 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 Civil Engineering at West Virginia University?
The 49% 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 →