by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 434 U.S. colleges awarded 27,513 degrees and certificates in Electrical Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 55% of graduates. College Factual ranks 303 schools in its 2027 Best Electrical Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $82,517 one year after completing, rising to $107,328 after four years.
Electricity serves a vital function in our modern world. As Electrical Engineer works with electricity every day, designing new systems and making repairs to old applications in order to keep our world electrified. As an Electrical Engineering major, you will study how electricity works, how it is generated, and how it is used. Who knows, you may even be revered as the next Thomas Edison in this field. You will work on developing and designing all types of electronic equipment which includes broadcast and communication systems, MP3 players, GPS systems, and the electrical systems of automobiles and aircrafts. Computer hardware is also part of this field.
Courses that you will come across in this major can include: statistics, calculus, circuit analysis and design, physics, digital systems, electrodynamics, statistics, physics, technical writing for engineering, semiconductor technology, and electric components.
Concentrations in this major include: Laser Optics, Telecommunication, and Electronics and Communications.
A major in Electrical Engineering involves the study of Electrical, Electronics, And Communications Engineering.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., electrical engineering draws strong interest, with 27,513 degrees awarded annually. 434 colleges award electrical engineering degrees, an average of 63 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 720.
By level, the 27,513 awards include 273 certificates, 261 associate degrees, 15,235 bachelor’s degrees, 9,509 master’s degrees and 2,160 doctorates.
Women earned 18% of electrical engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,996 of 27,513). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (9,726) and Asian (3,726), and international students earned 7,915.
College Factual ranks 303 schools in its 2027 Best Electrical Engineering Schools ranking, including 7 for associate degrees, 278 for bachelor’s degrees, 141 for master’s degrees and 68 for doctorates. It also ranks electrical engineering schools within 50 states. In all, 434 colleges offer electrical engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Electrical Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common electrical engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 15,235 of the 27,513 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to electrical engineering call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Students should be prepared to be continuously learning in this field, even after graduation. As technology changes so will the approach you take to solving problems. College courses will be heavy with math and science. Be prepared to use many advanced principles in mathematics to analyze and deign your work.
This major appeals to students who love learning how things work and enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together. If you work hard to learn the basics, you will get the satisfaction of seeing your ideas become a reality.
Most electrical engineers will work in groups, making teamwork an important skill. You should be reliable and pull your weight, while helping others and keeping an open mind about the way they approach a problem. Hone your communication skills to build good relationships with peers, professors, and other professionals. In your course-work as well as your future career, you will often need to explain your designs and your reasoning behind them. Learn to take constructive criticism and use it to improve your work.
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How long an electrical engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 273 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 261 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 15,235 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9,509 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,160 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to electrical engineering, at 30.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.0% |
| Master’s degree | 12.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 8.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
17 occupations are related to Electrical Engineering, with an average median salary of $90,598; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Systems Engineers, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Drafting Teacher, Instructor, Marine Engineering Teacher and Aeronautics Teacher.
Upon graduation you will be prepared to work as an Electrical Engineer for an engineering firm or as an independent contractor. Electrical Engineers are found working in power stations, designing electrical systems for buildings and communities, or creating wireless and portable devices. As technology continues to advance rapidly, there should be a demand for electrical engineers in both research and development.
The occupation related to electrical engineering with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 412,134 | 11.3% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median $82,517 one year after completing their program, $107,328 after four years and $106,226 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,517 |
| 4 years | $107,328 |
| 5 years | $106,226 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to electrical engineering is Engineers, All Other, with a median salary of $136,628.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Electrical Engineers | $127,814 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $122,969 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
Electrical Engineering includes 4 concentrations that together award 27,513 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Electrical and Electronics Engineering (26,795), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other (437) and Telecommunications Engineering (165). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 175,522 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical Engineering (43,874), Computer Engineering (21,335) and Civil Engineering (19,856). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 26,795 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other | 437 |
| Telecommunications Engineering | 165 |
| Laser and Optical Engineering | 116 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 43,874 |
| Computer Engineering | 21,335 |
| Civil Engineering | 19,856 |
| Engineering, General | 14,789 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 14,592 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,559 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 10,170 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,023 |
| Systems Engineering | 4,489 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,344 |
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