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Electrical Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $60,223/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 25.3x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #146 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	$960K	$911K	$756K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	26.7x	25.3x	21.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.2x	8.8x	7.3x
Probability of Field Employment	78%	70%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,976

Out-of-state: $103,800 (8.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,608

-71% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,250

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$96,796

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $60,223 per year, Electrical Engineering graduates from University of Nevada-Reno earn below the $77,516 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 25.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $17,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #146 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places University of Nevada-Reno in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $60,223-to-$96,796 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Nevada-Reno

With 85% of applicants admitted, University of Nevada-Reno prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 15,723 in Reno, NV.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →

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 of Nevada-Reno

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 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno?

At 72/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno?

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.

Is University of Nevada-Reno a good choice for Electrical Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Nevada-Reno's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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