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Electrical Engineering at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,212/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (13.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #124 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 Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$855K	$817K	$692K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.7x	18.8x	15.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	13.8x	13.2x	11.1x
Probability of Field Employment	78%	70%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	73	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)

$43,428

Out-of-state: $62,044 (13.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,336

-50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,050

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$92,081

22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $75,212 track close to the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 18.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 19% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $21,050 in median debt against $75,212 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #124 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places North Dakota State University-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 22% earnings increase from $75,212 to $92,081 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 9,567 students in Fargo, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at North Dakota State University-Main Campus →

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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

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 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?

At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →