Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's electrical engineering program delivers starting salaries around $80,000—solid performance that beats the Illinois state median by $5,000 and edges above the national average. Among the 11 Illinois schools offering this degree, SIUE ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only powerhouse programs like UIUC but matching or exceeding most alternatives. The debt load of $25,113 translates to a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates carry roughly three months' salary in student loans.

The concern here isn't the starting point—it's the trajectory. Earnings remain essentially flat between year one and year four, while top programs typically show 15-25% growth during those crucial early career years. This stagnation could signal limited advancement opportunities or concentration in lower-tier employers. Compare this to UIUC grads who start higher and continue climbing, widening the earnings gap over time.

For families seeking an accessible engineering program—SIUE admits 97% of applicants—this offers reasonable value with immediate earning power that covers the debt burden comfortably. But the flat earnings curve means your graduate needs to be proactive about career advancement, potentially including job changes or additional credentials, to avoid plateauing in their mid-20s. If your child has the credentials for more selective Illinois engineering programs, those may offer stronger long-term returns.