Electrical at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
64
Optimistic
62
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,528/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #207 of 262 Electrical programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,053K $994K $813K
Earnings Multiple 4.0x 3.8x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 62 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,646
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$112,437
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $80,528/yr, Electrical graduates from Boston University land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 3.8x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $26,646 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #207 of 262 Electrical programs, Boston University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $80,528 to $112,437 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Boston University

With just 11% of applicants admitted, Boston University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving 17,850 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Electrical at Other Schools

Other Majors at Boston University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical at Boston University?
This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Electrical programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Electrical careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $812,697 in decade earnings vs $1,052,548 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Boston University a hidden gem for Electrical?
After financial aid, the average student pays $107,984 over four years — 59% below the $260,672 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →