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Electrical at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,067/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 38.8x earnings multiple (20.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #200 of 262 Electrical programs

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 $727K $703K $613K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 40.1x 38.8x 33.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 21.3x 20.6x 18.0x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,128
Out-of-state: $34,128 (20.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,316
-178% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,067/yr, roughly in line with the $77,516 national median for Electrical. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 38.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $69,067 far exceeding the $31,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #200 ranking among 262 Electrical programs places Western Carolina University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 9,867 students in Cullowhee, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Carolina 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

Compare this program → View all 262 schools offering Electrical →

Electrical 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 Western Carolina University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,774) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($67,003) Construction Engineering Technologies ($63,401) Engineering, General ($62,244) Engineering Technology, General ($59,813) Public Administration ($56,445) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($53,398) Management Information Systems and Services ($47,867)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Electrical trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 63/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at Western Carolina University?
At 63/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical at Western Carolina 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 →