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Electrical Engineering at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $89,684/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 3.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #190 of 262 Electrical programs

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	$1,138K	$1,071K	$865K
Earnings Multiple	4.2x	3.9x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	78%	70%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	66	64	60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$272,948

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$127,708

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,497

2.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$123,215

37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $89,684 per year, Electrical Engineering graduates from University of Southern California earn slightly above the $77,516 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 3.9x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 24% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,497 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #190 of 262 Electrical Engineering programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $89,684 to $123,215 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Southern California

With just 10% of applicants admitted, University of Southern California ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

Other Majors at University of Southern California

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 Southern California?

This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Electrical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $865,346 in decade earnings vs $1,138,407 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Electrical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →