Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU's Computer Engineering graduates earn $82,964 their first year out—solid money that beats the national average, but sits below the middle of the pack among Virginia's 11 programs. In a state where flagship schools like UVA ($118,232) and Virginia Tech ($86,636) dominate tech recruiting, VCU's placement at the 40th percentile in-state matters more than its respectable 70th percentile nationally. The gap suggests this program doesn't command the same employer attention as Virginia's traditional engineering powerhouses, despite VCU's accessible 93% admission rate making it easier to get in.

The financial fundamentals are manageable: a 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates typically owe less than four months of salary, and $23,813 in debt sits right at the state median. For families weighing cost versus outcomes, VCU delivers an affordable path into a well-paying field without the financial strain that often accompanies engineering degrees. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these numbers.

Bottom line: If your child can get into Virginia Tech or UVA, those programs offer meaningfully higher earnings. But VCU provides a viable fallback for students who need a more accessible entry point into computer engineering, with reasonable debt and earnings that still clear $80,000. Just understand you're trading some earning potential for easier admission—a tradeoff that makes sense if the flagship schools aren't realistic options.