Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso's electrical engineering program sits squarely in the middle of Indiana's offerings—graduates earn about the same as the state median, ranking at the 40th percentile among the dozen schools that track outcomes. That $73,662 starting salary trails Purdue and Notre Dame by roughly $11,000-$12,000, though it keeps pace with regional competitors like Trine. The $27,000 median debt load is reasonable and slightly above state averages, translating to a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that won't create financial strain for most graduates.

The concerning piece here is the broader national picture: these graduates land in just the 26th percentile nationally, earning about $4,000 below the national median for electrical engineering programs. Coupled with 13% earnings growth over four years—steady but unremarkable for engineering—this suggests Valparaiso places graduates into solid regional opportunities rather than top-tier industry positions. Given the school's 92% admission rate and moderate selectivity, this tracks with its market position.

For an Indiana family keeping costs down through in-state attendance, this works as a reliable path to a middle-class engineering career. But students with stronger academic profiles who can access Purdue or Notre Dame will likely see better return on investment, particularly if they're eyeing competitive engineering employers or graduate school down the line.