Electrical Engineering at University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
66
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,073/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #188 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 $1,121K $1,055K $854K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 4.7x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 64 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$225,776
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$125,060
45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,276
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$118,396
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $80,073/yr, Electrical Engineering graduates from University of San Diego land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 4.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 24% 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 $29,276 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #188 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places University of San Diego in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 48% earnings increase from $80,073 to $118,396 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of San Diego

University of San Diego accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 5,619 in San Diego, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $125,060 over four years — 45% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of San Diego →

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 San Diego

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

What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at University of San Diego?
At 64/100, 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 San Diego?
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 →