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Electrical Engineering at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
73
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,617/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #157 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 $787K $756K $650K
Earnings Multiple 15.2x 14.6x 12.6x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 71 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$51,688
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,784
-6% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,849
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's Electrical Engineering program produces graduates earning $79,617/yr — within striking distance of the $77,516 national average for this field.

With a 14.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% 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 — $24,000 in median debt clears quickly against $79,617 in annual earnings.

A #157 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $79,617 to $85,849 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

A 97% acceptance rate means Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 8,836 students in Edwardsville, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville →

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 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Computer Science ($76,106) Industrial Engineering ($73,092) Computer Engineering ($71,841) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,161) Construction Engineering Technologies ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,260) Mechanical Engineering ($66,546) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($55,844)

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 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville?
At 71/100, 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 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville?
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 →