by our College Data Analytics TeamElectricity 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. Read on to learn the essential details every electrical engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering electrical engineering programs.
In the U.S., electrical engineering draws strong interest, with 26,760 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Electrical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 428 schools to determine the best overall colleges for electrical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of electrical engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Electrical Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations electrical engineering graduates commonly enter.
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.
The skill set developed in a electrical engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a electrical engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several electrical engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 179 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 273 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 14,969 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9,172 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,102 |
People currently working in careers related to electrical engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in electrical engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in electrical engineering can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to electrical engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to electrical engineering.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of electrical engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,923 |
| 4 years | $94,702 |
| 5 years | $107,414 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for electrical engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers electrical engineering grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 428 different electrical engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased electrical engineering school rankings to help you.
Those considering electrical engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 25,975 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other | 434 |
| Telecommunications Engineering | 194 |
| Laser and Optical Engineering | 157 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,529 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
