Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pitt's electrical engineering program sits squarely in the middle of the pack—both nationally and within Pennsylvania—which might surprise parents given the university's strong overall reputation. At $76,853 first-year and $85,235 four-year earnings, graduates trail the state median by about $5,000 and lag considerably behind Carnegie Mellon ($139,337) and even closer peers like Villanova ($90,302). The 40th percentile state ranking means six out of ten Pennsylvania engineering programs deliver better starting salaries.

The debt picture offers some consolation: $27,000 is manageable for engineering, putting graduates in the 25th percentile nationally for borrowing. That 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio means typical borrowers can realistically pay off loans within a few years while still enjoying engineering-level compensation. The 11% earnings growth trajectory is respectable if unspectacular—your child won't get rich quick, but they'll have stable, solidly middle-class career prospects.

For families paying full freight, this presents a value question. Pitt charges similar tuition to peer schools that deliver $5,000-15,000 higher starting salaries. If your child qualifies for in-state tuition or significant financial aid, the reasonable debt load makes this workable. But families comparing full-price options should understand they're paying flagship prices for middle-tier engineering outcomes—at least based on early-career earnings data from this cohort.