Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Southern Indiana

Peer programs in Indiana for electrical and electronics engineering typically produce first-year earnings around $74,000—putting University of Southern Indiana's estimated outcomes right at the state median. With estimated debt of $22,300, graduates would face monthly loan payments around $250, or roughly 4% of gross income. That's a manageable burden by any reasonable standard, though it's worth noting that Indiana's flagship programs like Purdue and Notre Dame report outcomes $10,000-12,000 higher.

The challenge here is that these figures come from similar programs across Indiana, not USI's actual graduates. Engineering outcomes can vary significantly based on factors like curriculum rigor, industry connections, and geographic placement. USI's 95% admission rate and test scores suggest a less competitive student body than schools like Rose-Hulman or Purdue, which could translate to different career trajectories even within the same field.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty, the estimated numbers suggest solid value—engineering degrees generally justify their cost, and $22,000 in debt is below both state and national medians. But if your child has the academic profile for more selective engineering programs in Indiana, those schools' reported outcomes show a clear earnings advantage that could compound significantly over a career.