Best colleges for Electrical
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Electrical by graduate earnings are Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337), University of California-Berkeley ($137,295) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($117,345), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA): $139,337, 663 graduates a year
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $137,295, 709 graduates a year
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA): $117,345, 205 graduates a year
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $100,516, 291 graduates a year
- The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX): $96,997, 365 graduates a year
Compare 434 U.S. colleges offering Electrical by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Electrical programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $77,940 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.10 and the Electrical Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Electrical programs
The Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering program focuses on the principles and applications of electricity, electronics, and communication systems. This program is designed for students interested in the technological aspects of engineering, preparing them for a variety of roles in the industry. Students will explore the interplay between electricity and magnetism and learn how to design and improve electrical systems.
Core skills in this program include critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning. Students will gain knowledge in engineering technology, computers and electronics, and physics, alongside practical coursework that covers design and implementation of electrical systems.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $139,337 | 663 | 94% | $23,803 | $22,250 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $137,295 | 709 | 93% | — | $14,437 |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $117,345 | 205 | 96% | $11,666 | $11,935 |
| 4 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $100,516 | 291 | 95% | $17,613 | $14,750 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $96,997 | 365 | 89% | — | $20,500 |
| 6 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,222 | 303 | 91% | $18,925 | $24,835 |
| 7 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $90,576 | 171 | 86% | — | $24,449 |
| 8 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $90,302 | 40 | 92% | $33,774 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $90,136 | 122 | 87% | $34,827 | $26,490 |
| 10 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,897 | 150 | 90% | $32,926 | $26,977 |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,684 | 331 | 92% | $26,873 | $20,500 |
| 12 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,957 | 242 | 74% | — | $20,414 |
| 13 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $87,606 | 122 | 93% | — | $18,667 |
| 14 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $86,865 | 689 | 94% | — | $27,000 |
| 15 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $86,483 | 484 | 85% | — | $21,600 |
| 16 | Kettering University Flint, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,360 | 37 | 71% | $30,880 | $30,080 |
| 17 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $86,136 | 172 | 65% | — | $25,692 |
| 18 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,861 | 62 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 19 | University of New Haven West Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,618 | 49 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 20 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,500 | 178 | 89% | — | $23,804 |
| 21 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,400 | 47 | 75% | — | $22,499 |
| 22 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,369 | 367 | 93% | — | $17,877 |
| 23 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,243 | 317 | 91% | — | $21,544 |
| 24 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $84,913 | 144 | 75% | — | $26,997 |
| 25 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $84,706 | 387 | 68% | — | $25,500 |
Specializations within Electrical
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Electrical and Electronics EngineeringCIP 14.100126,622 graduates / yr425 institutions52 states
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringCIP 14.1099437 graduates / yr19 institutions16 states
- Telecommunications EngineeringCIP 14.1004165 graduates / yr14 institutions12 states
- Laser and Optical EngineeringCIP 14.1003partial data115 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2071, Electrical Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers in various engineering fields, with a median wage of $111,910. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 7.2% and approximately 11,700 annual openings, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Electrical
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.10 (Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2011 | Aerospace Engineers |
| 17-2061 | Computer Hardware Engineers |
| 17-2071 | Electrical Engineersprimary |
| 17-2072 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Electrical programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
- Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Laser and Optical Engineering, and Telecommunications Engineering.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, writing, and active listening.
What is the typical career path for graduates?+
Graduates often work in designing, implementing, and maintaining electrical systems across various industries.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 7.2% and about 11,700 openings each year.
How much do Electrical graduates earn?+
Electrical graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $77,940, College Scorecard (2019); the Electrical Engineers occupation pays about $125,100 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Electrical?+
Electrical maps to CIP 14.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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