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Electrical Engineering at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,345/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 30.7x earnings multiple (11.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #75 of 262 Electrical programs Top 50%

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 $959K $910K $755K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 32.3x 30.7x 25.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.4x 11.8x 9.8x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (11.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,125
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,534
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

San Francisco State University's Electrical Engineering program produces graduates earning $67,345/yr — within striking distance of the $77,516 national average for this field.

With a 30.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,125 in median debt clears quickly against $67,345 in annual earnings.

A #75 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places San Francisco State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 48% earnings increase from $67,345 to $99,534 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About San Francisco State University

A 96% acceptance rate means San Francisco State University is accessible to most applicants, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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 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 San Francisco State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($117,532) Mechanical Engineering ($72,647) Civil Engineering ($68,256) Finance and Financial Management Services ($62,778) Accounting and Related Services ($60,607) International Business ($58,560) Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($56,071) Computer Engineering ($53,180)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at San Francisco State University?
At 74/100, 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 San Francisco 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 →