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Electrical Engineering at Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $73,418/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #151 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	$839K	$803K	$682K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.1x	16.4x	13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.4x	6.1x	5.2x
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)

$49,048

Out-of-state: $130,648 (6.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,680

-16% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$90,085

23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,418/yr, roughly in line with the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 16.4x 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 Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $73,418 far exceeding the $25,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #151 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places Old Dominion University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 23% earnings increase from $73,418 to $90,085 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 17,521 in Norfolk, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Old Dominion 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 Old Dominion 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 does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at Old Dominion University?

At 72/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical Engineering 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 Engineering at Old Dominion 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 →