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Electrical Engineering at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,687/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #39 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 Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,141K $1,074K $867K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.7x 17.6x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 5.8x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 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)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$120,436
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $80,687 track close to the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 24% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,000 in median debt against $80,687 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

University of California-San Diego ranks #39 among 262 Electrical Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 49% earnings increase from $80,687 to $120,436 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-San Diego

University of California-San Diego admits 25% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 33,787 in La Jolla, CA.

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

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-San Diego

Computer Science ($112,006) Computer Engineering ($96,256) Mathematics and Computer Science ($89,651) Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology ($76,592) Mechanical Engineering ($69,555) Biological/Biosystems Engineering ($67,016) Civil Engineering ($65,478) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($65,401)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Electrical Engineering 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 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at University of California-San Diego?
At 75/100, 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 University of California-San Diego?
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-San Diego one of the best schools for Electrical Engineering?
Among 262 Electrical Engineering programs, University of California-San Diego's #39 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 →