Program Analysis
At $60,086/yr, Civil Engineering graduates from Western Kentucky University land near the $69,097 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The 14.4x 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 — 49% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $21,200 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #156 out of 220 programs, Western Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Civil Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $60,086 to $69,462 over five years (16% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.