Electrical Engineering at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,450/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 31.5x earnings multiple (12.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 262 Electrical programs Top 5%

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 $1,010K $957K $787K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 33.2x 31.5x 25.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.0x 12.3x 10.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (12.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,616
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,450/yr, roughly in line with the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 31.5x 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 22% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $74,450 far exceeding the $16,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #13 of 262 nationally, this is a top-5% Electrical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $74,450 to $106,616 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Sacramento

California State University-Sacramento accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 27,867 in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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 Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento

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 Engineering at California State University-Sacramento?
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 $786,863 in decade earnings vs $1,010,427 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Sacramento's Electrical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #13 of 262 programs nationally, California State University-Sacramento lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →