Electrical Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $86,483/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #113 of 262 Electrical programs Top 50%

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 $939K $893K $743K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 13.9x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.5x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,028
19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $86,483 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign come in 12% above the national median of $77,516 for Electrical Engineering programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $86,483 far exceeding the $21,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #113 of 262 Electrical Engineering programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $103,028 are relatively flat compared to the $86,483 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A 44% admission rate makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 34,623 in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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 Engineering at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $743,010 in decade earnings vs $938,921 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →