Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

At around $80,000 straight out of college, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities electrical engineering graduates earn more than their counterparts at every other Minnesota school offering this major—about $11,000 more than the state median. They're also graduating with roughly $9,000 less debt than the typical Minnesota engineering student. That 60th percentile state ranking undersells the value here: this is the top-earning program of its kind in Minnesota, and the debt load of under $18,000 means graduates owe less than a quarter of their first year's salary.

The national comparison is equally solid. Earnings slightly exceed the national median, and graduates carry about $7,000 less debt than typical for this field. By year four, salaries reach nearly $88,000, representing healthy 10% growth that suggests good career progression. The combination of strong starting pay and minimal debt makes the financial math straightforward—you could feasibly pay off the entire loan balance within a year or two of aggressive repayment.

For Minnesota families, this is the clear in-state choice for electrical engineering. The relatively accessible 77% admission rate means it's within reach for strong students, and you're getting outcomes that beat every other option in the state while paying in-state tuition. The return on investment here is about as clean as it gets for an engineering degree.