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Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
67
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $139,337/yr (80% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 5.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #182 of 262 Electrical programs

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 $1,629K $1,511K $1,166K
Earnings Multiple 6.4x 5.9x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 67 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$255,316
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$126,684
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,224
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$183,814
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $139,337 put Carnegie Mellon University's Electrical Engineering program 80% above the national median of $77,516 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

A 5.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $139,337 far exceeding the $22,224 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #182 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places Carnegie Mellon University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 32% earnings increase from $139,337 to $183,814 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University's 11% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 7,187 students in Pittsburgh, PA. The average net cost of $126,684 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Carnegie Mellon 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

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

Electrical Engineering at Other Schools

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) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($90,576)

Other Majors at Carnegie Mellon University

Computer Science ($171,264) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($95,891) Systems Science and Theory ($95,598) Statistics ($93,111) Economics ($86,284) Mechanical Engineering ($76,523) Design and Applied Arts ($66,274) Architectural Sciences and Technology ($48,514)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University?
At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University?
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.
What do students actually pay for Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University?
The 50% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $255,316. At a net cost of $126,684, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →