Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Washington State University

Washington State University's electrical engineering program delivers solid national results but sits in the middle of Washington's competitive engineering landscape. While graduates earn well above the national median at $79,874 initially, climbing to $87,229 by year four, this places the program at just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six out of ten Washington engineering programs produce higher earners. The gap is real: graduates from UW's campuses and Gonzaga typically start around $82,000, about $2,000 more annually.

The financial fundamentals, however, work strongly in students' favor. At $21,030 in median debt—exactly matching the state median and well below the national average—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates owe roughly three months' salary. That's manageable by any standard. The 9% earnings growth over four years also suggests decent career progression, though not the explosive trajectory some tech-focused programs deliver.

For families weighing in-state options, this comes down to access and value. WSU's 85% admission rate makes it far more accessible than UW's selective campuses, while delivering 98% of UW's starting salary with similar debt loads. If your student can get into UW, that's likely the better bet for pure earning power. But for the many who can't, or who prefer Pullman's environment, WSU offers a legitimate path into electrical engineering without the debt burden that could otherwise compromise that career choice.