Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Loyola Marymount University

Engineering degrees typically justify their cost through strong starting salaries, but when the data is estimated rather than reported, parents need to think carefully about what they're buying. Based on comparable electrical engineering programs in California, graduates might expect around $78,000 in first-year earnings with roughly $26,000 in debt—a manageable 0.33 ratio that aligns with national norms for the field. However, LMU's estimated debt figure is notably higher than the $18,900 median for California programs, likely reflecting the private school premium.

What should concern parents is the performance gap. Berkeley grads in this field start at $137,000, while Cal Poly and UCLA graduates earn well into the $80,000s and $90,000s with far less debt. Even USC, another expensive private option, shows stronger estimated outcomes. The fact that LMU doesn't have reportable data for this program—meaning fewer than 10 recent graduates—raises questions about program size, resources, and employer connections in a competitive Los Angeles market where these factors matter enormously.

The fundamentals point to a viable career path, since electrical engineering remains in demand. But parents should verify current enrollment numbers, ask about industry partnerships, and understand whether paying private tuition makes sense when strong public alternatives exist. At these price points, the difference between estimated outcomes and actual placement could represent tens of thousands of dollars over a career.