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Electrical Engineering at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, 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 $63,468/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 31.1x earnings multiple (11.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #108 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 Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $923K $879K $734K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 32.6x 31.1x 25.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.2x 11.6x 9.7x
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)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (11.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$22,584
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,952
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$95,011
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $63,468/yr fall 18% below the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 31.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $18,952 in median debt against $63,468 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #108 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places California State University-Fullerton in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 50% earnings increase from $63,468 to $95,011 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Fullerton

California State University-Fullerton has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 36,956 students in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 262 schools offering Electrical Engineering →

Electrical Engineering at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337) University of California-Berkeley ($137,295) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($117,345) Cornell University ($100,516) The University of Texas at Austin ($96,997) Rice University ($96,751) National University ($93,417) Northeastern University ($92,222)

Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,028) Civil Engineering ($72,606) Mechanical Engineering ($65,252) Computer Science ($57,307) Computer Engineering ($55,093) Information Science/Studies ($49,897) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($49,830) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,256)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at California State University-Fullerton?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at California State University-Fullerton?
The 56% 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.
Is California State University-Fullerton a good choice for Electrical Engineering despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Fullerton's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →