Electrical Engineering at University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,774/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.3x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #84 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 $981K $930K $769K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.4x 21.3x 17.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.0x 8.6x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 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)
$43,680
Out-of-state: $108,416 (8.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,916
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,023
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,774 track close to the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.3x 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 22% gap from the optimistic case.

At #84 of 262 Electrical Engineering programs, University of Southern Maine scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $71,774 to $103,023 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Southern Maine

University of Southern Maine has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 4,245 in Portland, ME.

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

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 Southern Maine?
This program scores 74/100 — 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 $768,560 in decade earnings vs $980,580 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →