Electrical Engineering at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,205/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #123 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 $849K $812K $688K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.7x 18.8x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.6x 5.6x
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)
$43,128
Out-of-state: $122,288 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,880
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,923
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,292
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University at Buffalo's Electrical Engineering program produces graduates earning $74,205/yr — within striking distance of the $77,516 national average for this field.

The 18.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,923 in median debt clears quickly against $74,205 in annual earnings.

Ranked #123 out of 262 programs, University at Buffalo's Electrical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $74,205 to $91,292 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo's 69% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 20,284 students enrolled in Buffalo, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →

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 University at Buffalo

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does University at Buffalo's Electrical Engineering program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University at Buffalo's Electrical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →