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Electrical Engineering at Rice University

Houston, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
66 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
68
Optimistic
66
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $96,751/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 5.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #184 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 $1,287K $1,205K $957K
Earnings Multiple 5.5x 5.2x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 66 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$232,512
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,560
78% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$139,102
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Rice University's Electrical Engineering graduates start at $96,751/yr — above the $77,516 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 5.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #184 out of 262 programs, Rice University's financial outcomes for Electrical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $96,751 to $139,102 shows 44% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Rice University

Only 8% of applicants gain admission to Rice University, reflecting elite selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 4,562 students in Houston, TX. The average net cost of $50,560 over four years represents a 78% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Rice 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 Engineering →

Electrical Engineering 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) National University ($93,417) Northeastern University ($92,222) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($90,576)

Other Majors at Rice University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($131,154) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($88,307) Chemical Engineering ($87,830) Mechanical Engineering ($82,899) Economics ($78,814) Political Science and Government ($54,728) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,110) Mathematics ($50,286)

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

How does Rice University's Electrical Engineering program score?
A score of 66/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Rice University trails the majority of Electrical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Electrical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Electrical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Electrical Engineering at Rice University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $232,512, but the average net cost is $50,560 — a 78% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →