Home › Massachusetts Institute of Technology › Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $117,345/yr (51% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 6.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #178 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 $1,795K $1,659K $1,268K
Earnings Multiple 7.5x 6.9x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,624
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,252
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,967
1.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$190,731
63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $117,345 per year, Electrical Engineering graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology significantly outpace the $77,516 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

A 6.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 29% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $10,967 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #178 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $117,345-to-$190,731 earnings arc over five years reflects a 63% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

With just 5% of applicants admitted, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a smaller institution with 4,571 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $79,252 — 67% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology →

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

Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337) University of California-Berkeley ($137,295) 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer Science ($154,492) Mathematics and Computer Science ($126,153) Mathematics ($109,288) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($103,135) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($99,843) Mechanical Engineering ($83,957) Chemical Engineering ($80,139) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($70,696)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
At 68/100, 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The 67% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $240,624. At a net cost of $79,252, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →