Median Earnings (1yr)
$84,195
92nd percentile (60th in TX)
Median Debt
$28,081
12% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.33
Manageable
Sample Size
29
Limited data

Analysis

Prairie View A&M's electrical engineering graduates earn $84,195 in their first year—that's $6,000 more than the national median and puts them ahead of 92% of similar programs nationwide. Even in Texas's competitive engineering landscape, where schools like UT Austin and Rice dominate, these graduates land squarely in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile statewide, outearning those from Texas A&M College Station. With debt of just $28,081 (ranking in the bottom 5% nationally), students carry one of the lowest burdens among engineering programs, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33.

The practical math works strongly in students' favor here. A Prairie View graduate could reasonably pay off their debt within a year while still covering living expenses—a scenario few engineering programs can match. Four-year earnings climb to nearly $91,000, showing steady career progression. The 62% Pell Grant rate tells you this program successfully serves first-generation and lower-income students who need affordable pathways into high-earning technical careers.

The caveat: this data comes from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs. But the fundamentals—low debt, strong starting salary, and competitive positioning against flagship state schools—suggest Prairie View offers genuine value for students seeking an affordable engineering degree with solid earning potential.

Where Prairie View A & M University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors's programs nationally

Prairie View A & M UniversityOther electrical, electronics and communications engineering programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Prairie View A & M University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Prairie View A & M University graduates earn $84k, placing them in the 92th percentile of all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (27 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Prairie View A & M University$84,195$90,895$28,0810.33
The University of Texas at Austin$96,997$106,557$20,5000.21
Rice University$96,751———
University of Houston$86,136$92,968$25,6920.30
Texas A&M University-College Station$83,389$98,879$22,4820.27
Lamar University$83,155$83,799$18,0000.22
National Median$77,710—$24,9890.32

Other Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs in Texas

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin
$11,678$96,997$20,500
Rice University
Houston
$58,128$96,751—
University of Houston
Houston
$9,711$86,136$25,692
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station
$13,099$83,389$22,482
Lamar University
Beaumont
$8,690$83,155$18,000

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Prairie View A & M University, approximately 62% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.