Home › Worcester Polytechnic Institute › Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
61
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,419/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #178 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

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 $942K $893K $769K
Earnings Multiple 4.0x 3.8x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 61 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$173,092
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,994
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $76,419 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute come in 11% above the national median of $69,097 for Civil Engineering programs.

At 3.8x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $76,419 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #178 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 28% earnings increase from $76,419 to $97,994 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

A 58% admission rate makes Worcester Polytechnic Institute accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 5,344 students in Worcester, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute →

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

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Other Majors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Computer Science ($93,888) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,897) Computer Software and Media Applications ($86,193) Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering ($85,340) Chemical Engineering ($78,767) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($78,283) Mechanical Engineering ($78,182) Industrial Engineering ($77,994)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Civil 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 Civil Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
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 →