Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at United States Military Academy

Something doesn't add up here. West Point is a federally-funded service academy where cadets pay no tuition and graduate with a military service commitment instead of student debt. The estimated $25,125 in debt comes from other New York engineering programs—but it simply doesn't reflect reality for West Point graduates, who typically leave with zero educational debt. The earnings estimate of $77,952 is more applicable, though military pay structures differ from civilian engineering salaries and include additional benefits not captured in these figures.

The actual value proposition at West Point is fundamentally different from typical engineering programs. Graduates commit to at least five years of active military service as commissioned officers, with starting pay determined by military rank and benefits rather than market forces. The comparable programs earning $77,000-$84,000 first year represent civilian career paths that West Point graduates don't immediately pursue. What you're really evaluating isn't debt versus earnings—it's the trade-off between a tuition-free education with guaranteed employment and the service obligation that comes with it.

For families considering West Point, the financial calculus is straightforward: no tuition cost and no student debt, but your child will serve as a military officer upon graduation. The electrical engineering degree itself is rigorous and opens excellent career opportunities after military service. The key question isn't whether the numbers work—they do—but whether the service commitment aligns with your child's goals.