Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at California State University-Fresno

Fresno State's electrical engineering program shows a notable gap in early earnings that deserves scrutiny. Starting at $59,672—roughly $18,000 below the state median—this program ranks in just the 25th percentile among California's 32 engineering schools. That's significantly behind comparable CSU campuses and well below the flagship UCs. While the 96% admission rate reflects Fresno State's accessible mission (over half of students receive Pell grants), the earnings gap persists even when comparing to similar open-access institutions.

The 48% earnings growth by year four brings graduates to $88,350, which is competitive and suggests the degree opens doors to solid mid-career opportunities. The debt load of $25,875 is manageable given these trajectories, though it exceeds the California median for this major by about $7,000. The sample size is moderate, so these figures represent a meaningful cohort.

For parents weighing in-state options, this creates a practical question: is the cost difference to attend Cal Poly SLO (starting salaries near $90,000) worth it, or will your student catch up after a few years in the workforce? If affordability and guaranteed admission matter most, Fresno State delivers a legitimate engineering credential. But if maximizing first-job salary is the priority—critical for students who need to start repaying loans immediately—stronger California programs exist at similar public-school price points.