Electrical at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,101/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.4x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #52 of 262 Electrical programs Top 25%

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 $907K $864K $723K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.4x 21.4x 17.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.8x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,432
Out-of-state: $110,992 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,696
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,422
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,890
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $78,101/yr, roughly in line with the $77,516 national median for Electrical. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $78,101 far exceeding the $21,422 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #52 of 262 nationally, this is a top-5% Electrical program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $78,101 to $97,890 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,887 students in Lincoln, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska-Lincoln →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Electrical careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $723,193 in decade earnings vs $906,603 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Electrical program stand out?
Ranked #52 of 262 programs nationally, University of Nebraska-Lincoln lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →