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Electrical Engineering at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $100,516/yr (30% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 4.2x earnings multiple

Ranked #186 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	$1,191K	$1,118K	$897K
Earnings Multiple	4.5x	4.2x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	78%	70%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	67	65	62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,056

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$129,348

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,725

1.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$131,283

31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Cornell University's Electrical Engineering program earn $100,516/yr in their first year — 30% above the $77,516 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

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 25% gap from the optimistic case.

At $14,725 in median debt against $100,516 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #186 of 262 Electrical Engineering programs, Cornell University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $100,516 to $131,283 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Cornell University

Cornell University admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, enrolling 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell 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 Cornell 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 Cornell University?

This program scores 65/100 — 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 $897,499 in decade earnings vs $1,190,835 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Electrical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 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 →