Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Michigan-Dearborn

University of Michigan-Dearborn's electrical engineering program offers solid starting salaries above the national benchmark, but sits in the middle of Michigan's competitive engineering landscape. While graduates earn $78,942 in their first year—slightly ahead of the $77,710 national median—this places them in just the 40th percentile among Michigan programs. The $21,853 median debt is notably lower than both state and national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 that graduates can typically handle comfortably.

The 24% earnings growth to $97,518 by year four demonstrates solid career progression, though graduates start behind peers at UM-Ann Arbor and Kettering by roughly $8,000. For many Michigan families, this represents a practical tradeoff: you're getting credentialed engineering education from a respected regional campus at a lower cost than flagship alternatives. The 59% admission rate and strong Pell grant representation (44%) suggest the program serves students who might not access the state's most selective engineering schools.

For parents weighing value, this program delivers on the fundamental promise—graduates enter solid-paying engineering careers without crushing debt. You're not getting premium outcomes, but you're avoiding premium debt. If your child is choosing between UM-Dearborn and significantly more expensive private alternatives, the math favors Dearborn. If they can access UM-Ann Arbor or Michigan State at similar cost, those programs show stronger earnings trajectories worth considering.