Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of South Florida

University of South Florida's electrical engineering program outperforms the state median by over $8,800 annually—placing it 60th percentile among Florida schools—while keeping debt nearly $2,500 below the state average. That's a meaningful advantage for families choosing between Florida's public universities, especially considering USF's 41% admission rate makes it more accessible than flagship programs. Starting at $78,825, graduates earn within striking distance of UF ($85,243) but avoid the more competitive admissions process.

The debt picture strengthens the case: $24,000 represents just 30% of first-year earnings, well below the concerning threshold where loan payments strain budgets. Earnings grow modestly to $82,809 by year four, suggesting stable career progression rather than explosive growth. While USF doesn't lead the state pack, it sits comfortably in the upper tier—ahead of UCF and FSU, and competitive with schools like FAU that have similar outcomes.

For Florida families, this represents solid value: above-average outcomes at below-average cost, from a school that accepts nearly half its applicants. The program delivers employable skills with manageable debt, which matters more than chasing marginal salary differences. If your student can get into UF's engineering program, that's worth considering—but USF offers a strong fallback that won't leave them struggling financially or significantly behind in the job market.