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Electrical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
79
Optimistic
77
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $90,576/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 22.7x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 262 Electrical programs Top 1%

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 $1,007K $821K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.1x 22.7x 18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.6x 8.1x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 77 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,475
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$116,692
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $90,576 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo come in 17% above the national median of $77,516 for Electrical Engineering programs.

With a 22.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $90,576 far exceeding the $23,475 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Among 262 Electrical Engineering programs nationally, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #2 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

A 29% earnings increase from $90,576 to $116,692 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo accepts 30% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with 21,521 students enrolled in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

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

Compare this program → View all 262 schools offering Electrical Engineering →

Electrical Engineering at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337) University of California-Berkeley ($137,295) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($117,345) Cornell University ($100,516) The University of Texas at Austin ($96,997) Rice University ($96,751) National University ($93,417) Northeastern University ($92,222)

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($85,509) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($81,186)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
At 77/100, 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 Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
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.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo one of the best schools for Electrical Engineering?
Among 262 Electrical Engineering programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →