Electrical Engineeringat California State University-Northridge
Graduates earn $75,207/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Electrical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $922K; scenarios range from $763K to $972K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CSU Northridge
At $75,207/yr, Electrical Engineering graduates from California State University-Northridge land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 32.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical Engineering programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Electrical Engineering's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $16,382 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #12 of 262 nationally, this is a top-5% Electrical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $75,207 to $103,360 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Northridge's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Electrical Engineering
How CSU Northridge stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CSU Northridge
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Northridge, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Electrical Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Electrical Engineering at CSU Northridge
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at California State University-Northridge?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Electrical Engineering careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $763,388 in decade earnings vs $972,148 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Northridge's Electrical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #12 of 262 programs nationally, California State University-Northridge lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.