Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Saint Louis University

Engineering programs at Saint Louis University have produced too few recent graduates for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes data, but similar electrical engineering programs in Missouri suggest starting salaries around $80,000—solidly in the middle of the state's range. That estimated debt load of $26,000 represents roughly four months of first-year earnings, a manageable ratio for an engineering degree where salaries typically climb steadily through the career arc.

The comparison to Missouri's engineering powerhouses is instructive. Missouri S&T and Mizzou graduates earn modestly more out of the gate ($81,000-$85,000), but the $3,000-$5,000 difference matters less than program fit and networking opportunities. Saint Louis University's smaller cohort size—evident in the suppressed data—could mean more individualized attention or fewer industry connections depending on how you look at it. The school's relatively open admission rate (81%) paired with solid SAT scores suggests a program that's accessible but still drawing capable students.

For parents, the financial picture based on peer programs looks reasonable: estimated debt sits right at the state median for these programs, while projected earnings match what most Missouri engineering graduates see. The real uncertainty here isn't about whether electrical engineering pays—it clearly does—but whether this specific small program at SLU provides the internship pathways and employer relationships that matter as much as the degree itself. Visit campus, ask about job placement specifics, and talk to current students about their co-op and internship experiences.