Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Virginia-Main Campus

UVA's electrical engineering program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a selective flagship: first-year earnings of $82,135 that climb to over $103,000 by year four. While debt figures here are estimated from comparable Virginia programs at around $26,000, the earnings are actual reported outcomes—and they tell a strong story about this program's market value.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 is meaningfully better than many engineering programs nationally, and that calculation holds even with the estimated debt figure. UVA sits squarely in the middle of Virginia's engineering market—outpacing programs at ODU and Liberty, running neck-and-neck with Virginia Tech and George Mason. The 26% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are advancing into more senior technical roles or specialized positions rather than plateauing early.

The real question isn't whether this program works financially—it clearly does. It's whether the highly competitive admissions (17% acceptance rate) and UVA's price point make sense compared to Virginia Tech or George Mason, both of which produce nearly identical first-year outcomes with likely similar debt loads. For families without significant financial aid, those peer programs might deliver comparable career results at lower cost. But if your student gets in and receives reasonable aid, this is a solid investment in a field where starting salaries genuinely support the debt.