Electrical Engineering at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,662/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #242 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 $810K $777K $664K
Earnings Multiple 4.3x 4.2x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$186,352
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$86,332
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,180
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $73,662/yr, Electrical Engineering graduates from Valparaiso University land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 4.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #242 of 262 Electrical Engineering programs, Valparaiso University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $87,180 are relatively flat compared to the $73,662 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Valparaiso University

With 92% of applicants admitted, Valparaiso University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 2,229 in Valparaiso, IN. The average net cost of $86,332 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Valparaiso University →

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 Valparaiso University

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 Valparaiso University?
This program scores 59/100 — 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 $663,849 in decade earnings vs $809,834 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Valparaiso University a hidden gem for Electrical Engineering?
After financial aid, the average student pays $86,332 over four years — 54% below the $186,352 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →