Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler

UT Tyler's electrical engineering program lands graduates right in the middle of the pack nationally, but for a school with a 92% acceptance rate, that's actually noteworthy performance. At $78,266 starting, grads earn slightly above the Texas median and sit in the 60th percentile among the state's 27 programs—meaning they're outearning peers at many more selective schools. The debt load of $25,274 is entirely manageable, translating to a 0.32 ratio that gives graduates breathing room in their first years.

The concern here is momentum: earnings inch up just 4% over four years to $81,132, barely keeping pace with inflation. Compare this trajectory to Texas A&M ($83,389) or Prairie View ($84,195), where engineering grads typically see steeper growth curves as they move into senior technical roles. This isn't a crisis—electrical engineering credentials still command decent wages—but it suggests graduates may be settling into regional positions rather than climbing into the higher-paying aerospace, semiconductor, or tech consulting roles concentrated in Austin and Houston.

For families prioritizing affordability and solid middle-class outcomes, this works. Your child will graduate with low debt and immediately employable skills in a stable field. Just understand that UT Tyler's regional focus likely caps upside potential compared to programs in Texas's major metro areas.