Electrical Engineeringat Cornell University
Graduates earn $100,516/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national Electrical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,118K; scenarios range from $897K to $1,191K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cornell University
Your Cornell ECE degree opens doors due to the university's elite reputation and the program's rigorous curriculum, attracting national recruiters from tech giants, leading semiconductor firms, and even quantitative finance. This strong pipeline and a robust alumni network are key drivers of the exceptional financial outcomes you'll see. Graduates often secure roles designing cutting-edge hardware, developing advanced algorithms, or leading complex engineering projects, leveraging a deep theoretical foundation.
While the "Very High" AI risk for the field is notable, your Cornell education positions you to navigate it effectively. The program emphasizes innovative problem-solving and research, preparing you for senior design, management, and R&D roles less susceptible to automation. To truly thrive, focus on interdisciplinary projects and continuous skill development, leveraging Cornell's vast resources to stay ahead of technological shifts and secure leadership positions.
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 Cornell University'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 Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cornell University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, 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 Cornell University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at Cornell University?
This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Electrical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $897,499 in decade earnings vs $1,190,835 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Electrical Engineering?
After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.