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Electrical at Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,732/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (9.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #235 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 $832K $797K $678K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.2x 13.6x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.0x 9.6x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (9.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,384
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,091
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $80,732/yr, roughly in line with the $77,516 national median for Electrical. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 13.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 19% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $80,732 far exceeding the $29,091 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #235 ranking among 262 Electrical programs places Grand Valley State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 19,073 students in Allendale, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley 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

Compare this program → View all 262 schools offering Electrical →

Electrical 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 Grand Valley State University

Computer Engineering ($80,746) Manufacturing Engineering ($76,754) Mechanical Engineering ($75,777) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($74,360) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,181) Information Science/Studies ($66,967) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($63,038) Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($58,781)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Electrical trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at Grand Valley State University?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical at Grand Valley 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 →