Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Vermont

University of Vermont's electrical engineering program sits in an unusual position: it performs decently within Vermont (60th percentile among the state's two programs) but ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs produce higher earnings. That's a significant gap, with UVM graduates starting at $61,803 while the national median sits at $77,710. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift substantially with more data.

The positive story is in the growth trajectory and manageable debt. Earnings jump 45% over four years to $89,425, which suggests UVM grads eventually reach competitive compensation levels, just not as quickly as peers elsewhere. With $24,750 in debt—right at the national median—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 remains workable even with the lower starting salary.

For Vermont families, this program makes more sense than for out-of-state students paying full freight. The in-state tuition advantage could justify accepting below-average starting salaries, especially if your student values the strong four-year earnings growth. But if your child has options at larger engineering schools with more robust programs, those would likely offer better immediate earning potential. The thin data here is worth noting too—you're essentially betting on a program with limited track record visibility.