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Electrical Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $82,135/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #152 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	$1,067K	$1,008K	$822K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.7x	12.0x	9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.3x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	78%	70%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$83,944

Out-of-state: $232,056 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$91,524

-9% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$114,299

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $82,135/yr, edging above the $77,516 national average for Electrical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical Engineering's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #152 of 262 Electrical Engineering programs, University of Virginia-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $82,135 to $114,299 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Virginia-Main Campus

University of Virginia-Main Campus admits 17% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, enrolling 17,315 students in Charlottesville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Virginia-Main Campus →

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 Virginia-Main Campus

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus?

This program scores 72/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Electrical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Electrical Engineering careers?

With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $821,726 in decade earnings vs $1,067,278 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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