Electrical at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
75
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,504/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.1x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 of 262 Electrical programs Top 25%

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 $1,012K $958K $788K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.3x 20.1x 16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.2x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 75 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,787
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,377
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,504 track close to the $77,516 national median for Electrical programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 22% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,787 in median debt against $79,504 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #37 of 262 nationally, this is a top-5% Electrical program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $79,504 to $108,377 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Alabama

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 at The University of Alabama?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Electrical careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $787,872 in decade earnings vs $1,012,072 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes The University of Alabama's Electrical program stand out?
Ranked #37 of 262 programs nationally, The University of Alabama lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →