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Best Value Electrical Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Public universities dominate the best value market for Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, with CUNY City College delivering the strongest return at just $3,486 net cost while graduates earn $57,318. The cost spread tells a compelling story across this field, ranging from under $4,000 to nearly $15,000 annually, yet even the most expensive option on this list, UC Berkeley at $14,979, justifies its price tag with graduates earning $128,868. California's tech sector drives much of the earnings potential in this analysis, with seven Golden State schools making the cut and their graduates commanding salaries between $59,124 and $128,868. What makes these programs particularly attractive is their ability to prepare students for an industry where electrical and electronics engineers are projected to grow 7% through 2031, faster than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data reveals that affordability and strong outcomes aren't mutually exclusive, as schools like University of Florida combine reasonable costs with strong graduation rates of 91.50%.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $19,813
Net Price Range
$71,370
Avg. Program Earnings
61.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $57,318 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $4,113 $59,124 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $6,351 $75,405 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
4 $5,646 $65,610 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
5 $5,115 $59,350 $7,490 32.8%
6 $6,747 $73,635 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
7 $6,480 $70,009 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $73,070 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $7,131 $66,653 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
10 $14,979 $128,868 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
11 $8,463 $72,796 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
12 $6,500 $55,693 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
13 $8,896 $70,917 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
14 $8,001 $63,600 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
15 $8,931 $67,287 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
16 $8,155 $61,172 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
17 $9,133 $66,653 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
18 $10,904 $77,464 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
19 $10,017 $70,961 $12,817 62.3% 88.4%
20 $10,011 $70,296 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
21 $12,136 $84,653 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
22 $9,957 $67,995 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
23 $10,043 $67,772 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
24 $10,512 $70,596 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
25 $10,204 $68,079 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
26 $10,898 $70,961 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
27 $10,353 $66,897 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
28 $10,916 $70,009 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
29 $10,997 $68,918 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
30 $10,726 $66,821 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
31 $11,504 $70,917 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
32 $19,813 $121,226 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
33 $10,026 $61,020 $8,568 33.0%
34 $11,580 $69,930 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
35 $10,650 $63,817 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
36 $14,013 $83,915 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
37 $11,877 $70,596 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
38 $11,750 $69,606 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
39 $12,323 $72,714 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
40 $11,408 $66,461 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
41 $13,584 $78,488 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
42 $12,313 $70,610 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
43 $12,817 $72,883 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
44 $11,429 $64,773 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
45 $11,234 $62,734 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
46 $13,289 $73,992 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
47 $14,832 $82,123 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
48 $12,932 $71,575 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
49 $12,837 $71,015 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
50 $11,147 $61,516 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY City College such an outstanding value for engineering students?

CUNY City College offers the lowest net cost at $3,486 while maintaining solid graduate earnings of $57,318, creating an impressive return on investment. The school accepts 66.60% of applicants and achieves a 54.70% graduation rate. Students gain access to New York's extensive engineering job market while keeping debt minimal.

How do California State University campuses compare for electrical engineering value?

Five CSU campuses make this list with net costs between $4,113 and $8,931, offering consistent quality across the system. Cal State LA provides the lowest cost at $4,113 with $59,124 graduate earnings, while Long Beach commands higher earnings of $67,287 despite a $8,931 net cost. All CSU programs benefit from California's solid tech industry presence and relatively high acceptance rates above 60%.

Is UC Berkeley worth the $14,979 cost compared to other options?

UC Berkeley graduates earn $128,868, more than double most other schools on this list, justifying the $14,979 net cost. The school maintains a 92.90% graduation rate and accepts just 11.33% of applicants, indicating highly selective admissions. Students graduate with relatively modest debt of $13,674 despite the higher sticker price, suggesting strong financial aid programs.

Does geographic location affect earnings potential for electrical engineering graduates?

California schools clearly lead in graduate earnings, with seven programs producing salaries between $59,124 and $128,868, reflecting the state's concentration of tech employers. Florida schools like University of Florida and Florida Atlantic achieve strong earnings of $75,405 and $63,600 respectively, benefiting from aerospace and defense contractors. Even schools in traditionally lower-wage regions like New Mexico State achieve respectable $73,635 graduate earnings.

What graduation rates can students expect from these value programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly, from College of Staten Island's 32.80% to UC Berkeley's 92.90%, showing that low cost doesn't always mean lower completion rates. University of Florida achieves an excellent 91.50% rate while maintaining reasonable costs, proving that quality and value can coexist. Most programs fall between 50-70% graduation rates, which aligns with national averages for engineering programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.