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Electrical at Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · 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 $77,636/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.3x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #95 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 $985K $934K $772K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 17.3x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.5x 5.4x
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)
$53,976
Out-of-state: $142,656 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,272
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,664
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$105,331
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oregon State University's Electrical program produces graduates earning $77,636/yr — within striking distance of the $77,516 national average for this field.

With a 17.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,664 in median debt clears quickly against $77,636 in annual earnings.

A #95 ranking among 262 Electrical programs places Oregon State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 36% earnings increase from $77,636 to $105,331 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Oregon State University

A 79% acceptance rate means Oregon State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 29,557 students in Corvallis, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State 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 →

Electrical at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337) 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)

Other Majors at Oregon State University

Computer Science ($85,376) Construction Engineering ($80,936) Industrial Engineering ($78,425) Manufacturing Engineering ($72,154) Chemical Engineering ($71,618) Engineering, Other ($71,549) Civil Engineering ($70,635) Nuclear Engineering ($69,657)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Electrical trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at Oregon State University?
At 74/100, 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 at Oregon State 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →