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Electrical Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $85,369/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.5x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 262 Electrical programs Top 5%

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 $1,202K $1,129K $905K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.9x 20.5x 16.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.3x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 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)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,979
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$127,528
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $85,369/yr, edging above the $77,516 national average for Electrical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Electrical Engineering's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 25% gap from the optimistic case.

At $16,979 in median debt against $85,369 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #4 of 262 nationally, this is a top-5% Electrical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $85,369 to $127,528 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

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 University of California-Los Angeles

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($136,099) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($94,611) Business/Managerial Economics ($83,604) Mechanical Engineering ($79,016) Chemical Engineering ($76,680) Civil Engineering ($75,510) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,068) Economics ($62,091)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Electrical Engineering careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $904,612 in decade earnings vs $1,202,433 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Los Angeles's Electrical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #4 of 262 programs nationally, University of California-Los Angeles lands in the top 5%. 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 →