Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at San Diego State University

San Diego State's engineering program delivers solid outcomes at a price point that's hard to beat, though graduates trail their California peers in earning power. First-year earnings of $75,061 land below both the state median ($78,247) and national average ($77,710), placing this program in the 40th percentile among California schools. The gap widens when compared to top state programs—UC Berkeley grads earn nearly double, while Cal Poly SLO graduates start $15,000 higher. However, the debt picture tells a more favorable story: the typical graduate owes just $18,165, significantly less than the national median of $24,989 and slightly below California's $18,906 average.

That low debt creates breathing room most engineering graduates don't enjoy. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, graduates can pay off their loans in roughly three months of gross income—a manageable burden that won't derail other financial goals. Earnings grow respectably over the first four years, reaching $90,947, though this still lags behind what graduates from more selective California programs command.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, SDSU offers a practical path into engineering without the premium price tag of UC schools or private universities. You're not getting elite-level earnings, but you're avoiding the debt that often accompanies them. If your student can gain admission to Cal Poly or a UC campus, those programs offer stronger returns. Otherwise, SDSU provides legitimate engineering credentials at a cost that makes financial sense.