Electrical at Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
74
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,874/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #103 of 262 Electrical programs Top 50%

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 $926K $881K $735K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.8x 17.0x 14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.6x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 74 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,988
Out-of-state: $116,292 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,604
-11% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,546
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,264
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $79,874/yr, Electrical graduates from Washington State University land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 17.0x 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 career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $18,546 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #103 ranking among 262 Electrical programs places Washington State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 26% earnings increase from $79,874 to $100,264 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Washington State University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Washington State University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,583 in Pullman, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington State 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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Washington State 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 does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at Washington State University?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical at Washington State University?
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 →