Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Boise State University

Boise State's electrical engineering graduates start below the national median at $73,000, though they reach $100,000 by year four—a solid 37% increase that demonstrates meaningful career progression. Within Idaho's limited engineering landscape (just 4 programs statewide), this ranks at the 60th percentile, trailing only University of Idaho significantly while outperforming BYU-Idaho's $71,000 starting point.

The debt picture is notably favorable: at $35,000, graduates carry more than the national program median of $25,000, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means they're borrowing less than half their first-year salary. This positions them well for reasonable repayment timelines. However, starting $5,000 below the national median (23rd percentile nationally) matters in a field where many graduates command $80,000+ immediately. That gap persists even as mid-career earnings grow.

For Idaho families keeping their student in-state, Boise State offers a practical path into engineering with manageable debt. University of Idaho delivers stronger starting salaries if your child can access their program, but Boise State's 84% admission rate makes it more accessible. The program works financially—graduates earn enough to justify the investment—though it won't match the immediate earning power of top-tier engineering schools elsewhere.