Electrical at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,145/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.1x earnings multiple (11.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #145 of 262 Electrical programs

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 $907K $864K $723K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.8x 14.1x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.9x 11.3x 9.5x
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)
$61,192
Out-of-state: $76,392 (11.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,804
-22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,447
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $76,145/yr, Electrical graduates from Western Michigan University land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% 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 #145 of 262 Electrical programs, Western Michigan University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $76,145 to $97,447 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Western Michigan University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Western Michigan University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 12,704 in Kalamazoo, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan 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 Western Michigan 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 at Western Michigan University?
This program scores 72/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Electrical programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Electrical careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $723,482 in decade earnings vs $907,073 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →