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Electrical at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
80
Optimistic
79
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $137,295/yr (77% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 35.5x earnings multiple (11.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 262 Electrical programs Top 1%

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 $2,298K $2,110K $1,576K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 38.7x 35.5x 26.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.6x 11.6x 8.6x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 79 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (11.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,674
1.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$240,462
75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $137,295 per year, Electrical graduates from University of California-Berkeley significantly outpace the $77,516 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 35.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Electrical carry above-average AI exposure (56% of tasks). The 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $13,674 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Among 262 Electrical programs nationally, University of California-Berkeley ranks #1 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The $137,295-to-$240,462 earnings arc over five years reflects a 75% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Berkeley

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of California-Berkeley ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving a student body of 33,073 in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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) 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) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($90,576)

Compare Electrical

University of California-Berkeley vs The University of Texas at Austin → University of California-Berkeley vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Computer Science ($149,866) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553) Economics ($80,446)

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 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at University of California-Berkeley?
At 79/100, 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 at University of California-Berkeley?
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.
Is University of California-Berkeley one of the best schools for Electrical?
Among 262 Electrical programs, University of California-Berkeley's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →