Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Electrical and Electronics Engineering encompasses the design, development, and application of electrical systems, electronic devices, and communication technologies. This interdisciplinary field focuses on the innovation and optimization of power systems, signal processing, control mechanisms, and advanced electronics to solve complex technical challenges across industries.
- Power Systems Engineering: Study of electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and management, including renewable energy integration and smart grid technologies.
- Electronics Design and Circuits: Development and analysis of analog and digital electronic circuits, including semiconductor devices, microcontrollers, and embedded systems.
- Control Systems: Design and implementation of feedback mechanisms that regulate dynamic systems, from industrial automation to robotics and aerospace applications.
- Signal Processing: Techniques for analyzing, modifying, and synthesizing signals such as audio, images, and sensor data using mathematical and computational methods.
- Communications Engineering: Principles of data transmission, wireless networks, modulation techniques, and information theory to enable reliable and efficient communication systems.
- Electromagnetics and RF Engineering: Investigation of electromagnetic fields and waves, including antenna design, microwave systems, and radio frequency propagation.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Electrical and Electronics Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer and Electrical Engineers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 532,980 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer 17-2072 | $127,590 | $79,390 - $199,060 | 93,940 | $61.34 |
| Electrical Engineers 17-2071 | $111,910 | $74,670 - $175,460 | 188,790 | $53.80 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $107,243 in Nebraska to $156,495 in California—a 46% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Mexico, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 532,980 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Electrical and Electronics Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 21 institutions offering Electrical and Electronics Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Electrical and Electronics Engineering is found at University of Arizona (170 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (105 graduates), Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (55 graduates), University of the Cumberlands (25 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 434 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
170 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
105 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Master's
|
55 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| University of the Cumberlands |
Master's
|
25 | Williamsburg, Kentucky | Private | ucumberlands.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Monterey, California | Public | nps.edu |
| Holmes Community College |
Associate's
|
9 | Goodman, Mississippi | Public | holmescc.edu |
| Rowan University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
7 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Flushing, New York | Private | vaughn.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
|
4 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| Kettering University |
Master's
|
2 | Flint, Michigan | Private | kettering.edu |
| Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | oit.edu |
| Tuskegee University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tuskegee, Alabama | Private | tuskegee.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Langston University (LU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Langston, Oklahoma | Public | langston.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Electrical and Electronics Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree?
Salaries for Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Electronics Engineers, Except Computer earn around $127,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $156,495 compared to $107,243 in Nebraska. Approximately 532,980 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Electrical and Electronics Engineering programs?
Currently 21 accredited institutions offer Electrical and Electronics Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Arizona (170 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (105 graduates), and Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (55 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Electrical and Electronics Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 66 in 2010 to a peak of 468 in 2020, before declining slightly to 434 in 2023-24. This represents a 558% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, and Electrical Engineers. Related occupations employ approximately 532,980 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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