Electrical at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,738/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 16.7x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #88 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,006K $953K $784K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.6x 16.7x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 7.8x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,182
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$107,566
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $78,738 track close to the $77,516 national median for Electrical programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 16.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,182 in median debt against $78,738 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #88 ranking among 262 Electrical programs places Wayne State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 37% earnings increase from $78,738 to $107,566 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University has a 82% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State University →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wayne State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at Wayne State University?
At 74/100, 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 at Wayne State University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →