Electrical at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,672/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 36.6x earnings multiple (13.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #107 of 262 Electrical programs Top 50%

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 $1,083K $1,021K $831K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 38.8x 36.6x 29.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 14.4x 13.5x 11.0x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 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)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (13.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,875
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,377
78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,672 place California State University-Fresno below the $77,516 national median for Electrical — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 36.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical programs nationally.

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.

With first-year pay of $59,672 far exceeding the $25,875 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #107 of 262 Electrical programs, California State University-Fresno scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $106,377 show a 78% jump from the $59,672 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 21,070 in Fresno, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 56% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

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 California State University-Fresno

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 California State University-Fresno?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $831,138 in decade earnings vs $1,082,625 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Electrical from California State University-Fresno?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →