Electrical Engineering at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,207/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 32.5x earnings multiple (12.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 262 Electrical programs Top 5%

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 $972K $922K $763K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.3x 32.5x 26.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.8x 12.2x 10.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (12.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,382
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,360
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $75,207/yr, Electrical Engineering graduates from California State University-Northridge land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 32.5x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,382 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #12 of 262 nationally, this is a top-5% Electrical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $75,207 to $103,360 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Northridge

With 93% of applicants admitted, California State University-Northridge prioritizes broad access, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →

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 California State University-Northridge

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at California State University-Northridge?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $763,388 in decade earnings vs $972,148 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Northridge's Electrical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #12 of 262 programs nationally, California State University-Northridge lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →