Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of the Pacific

Engineering programs in California show dramatic variation in outcomes, with Berkeley grads earning $137,000 while the typical program produces around $78,000. University of the Pacific's electrical engineering program appears to land squarely in the middle tier—peer programs across California suggest first-year earnings near $78,000, placing this solidly with the median but nowhere near the state's powerhouse programs.

The estimated debt load of $26,000 sits slightly above California's typical $19,000 for engineering degrees but remains manageable given the field. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, graduates from similar programs typically handle their student loans without major strain—that's less than four months of gross salary to cover the full debt amount. Engineering credentials generally provide steady employment and clear career trajectories, which helps explain why even mid-tier programs maintain reasonable financial returns.

The question for families is whether Pacific's specific advantages—smaller class sizes at a private university, the Stockton location, campus culture—justify accepting middle-of-the-pack financial outcomes when UC schools and Cal Poly offer stronger earnings potential at lower cost. If your student thrives in intimate learning environments and has received meaningful merit aid to close that $7,000 debt gap with state peers, Pacific could work well. Without that discount, the state's public options deliver similar earnings with less financial burden.