Electrical at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
74
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,175/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #101 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $955K $907K $753K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 16.4x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.8x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 74 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)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,679
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $82,175 per year, Electrical graduates from George Mason University earn slightly above the $77,516 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical'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 $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #101 of 262 Electrical programs, George Mason University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $82,175 to $103,679 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About George Mason University

With 89% of applicants admitted, George Mason University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 27,083 in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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

Electrical at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical at George Mason University?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Electrical careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $753,057 in decade earnings vs $955,300 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →