Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's electrical engineering program delivers what engineering programs are supposed to: strong starting salaries and manageable debt. Graduates earn $80,896 in their first year—above both the national median ($77,710) and the 75th percentile nationally. More importantly, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates earn three dollars for every dollar borrowed, making the $26,750 in typical debt very serviceable on an engineer's salary.

Within Mississippi's small engineering landscape, this program holds steady at the 60th percentile despite facing just four competitors. It outperforms Ole Miss's program by about $6,000 in starting salary, which matters when you're comparing in-state options with similar tuition costs. The 11% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests graduates are advancing into more senior technical or supervisory roles, a positive sign in an industry where career progression can plateau for some.

For parents considering in-state engineering options, this represents a straightforward value proposition: competitive starting pay, reasonable debt load, and a credential from Mississippi's flagship technical university. The 76% admission rate makes it accessible, while the outcomes show the program delivers on its promise. If your student wants to study engineering and stay in Mississippi, this is the benchmark program.