Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's electrical engineering program sits in an unusual position for a top-tier UC. While comparable programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $78,000—squarely in line with national figures—several peer institutions report substantially higher outcomes. Berkeley's electrical engineering graduates earn nearly $140,000 in their first year, and even Cal Poly SLO graduates start above $90,000. This $10,000-$60,000 gap raises questions about industry placement differences, though it's worth noting that similar programs statewide typically produce debt loads around $18,000, which is notably lower than the national median of nearly $25,000.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks solid on paper—borrowing less than a quarter of first-year salary is manageable in engineering. But the real consideration here is opportunity cost. If your child is competitive enough to gain admission to Davis (42% acceptance rate), they might also gain admission to programs with demonstrated track records of substantially higher early earnings. The difference between $78,000 and $90,000 isn't trivial when you're carrying student debt, even modest debt.

The practical question: Does Davis offer specific advantages—research opportunities, faculty relationships, campus culture—that justify potentially lower starting salaries compared to nearby alternatives? Without knowing where this program's graduates actually land, you're making that choice somewhat blind.