Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at George Fox University

Engineering programs carry hefty tuition bills at private universities, so the estimated $26,000 in debt for George Fox's electrical engineering degree deserves scrutiny. Similar programs at private colleges nationally suggest this debt level, which paired with first-year earnings around $77,600 (the median for Oregon engineering programs), produces a manageable 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's roughly four months of gross salary—a relatively comfortable starting point for a technical field where earnings typically grow steadily.

The comparison with Oregon's other engineering schools is instructive. Portland State graduates earn about $5,200 more in year one, while Oregon Tech alumni start slightly lower at $76,780. George Fox sits right in the middle of the pack for earnings, though you're paying private-school prices. What matters here is whether the smaller campus environment and faith-based mission justify potential cost differences—the engineering outcomes themselves appear competitive with state schools.

Given the 96% admission rate and small program size (hence the suppressed data), George Fox likely offers more individualized attention than larger programs. If your child thrives in close-knit academic settings and the religious affiliation aligns with your family's values, the debt burden isn't alarming for an engineering degree. Just confirm actual costs against these debt estimates, as private university net prices vary wildly based on financial aid packages.