Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at George Mason University

George Mason's electrical engineering program delivers strong earnings at a manageable debt level, though it doesn't quite match Virginia Tech's performance at the top of the state. Graduates earn $82,175 in their first year—above the national median of $77,710 and roughly on par with UVA graduates. The $26,725 in typical debt translates to just four months of first-year salary, one of the better debt ratios you'll find in engineering.

What's notable here is the accessibility factor: with an 89% admission rate and 30% of students on Pell grants, Mason opens engineering careers to students who might not get into the state's flagship programs. The earnings essentially match what more selective schools deliver, suggesting the degree itself opens doors regardless of institutional prestige. The moderate sample size means these figures are reasonably reliable, and the 11% earnings growth over four years shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level positions.

For a Virginia family, this is a solid choice—particularly if your child doesn't have the profile for Tech or UVA, or if Mason's Northern Virginia location offers internship advantages. The program performs in the 60th percentile statewide (middle of the pack among nine programs), but that still means strong absolute earnings with debt that won't derail your child's twenties. This is what good value looks like: competitive outcomes without lottery-odds admissions.