Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Why Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 31.8%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $74562 and average student debt of $23741, the financial outlook for Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $74562, and with an average debt of $23741, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.32—meaning you’ll have lots of flexibility after graduation.
This program sees about 27809 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other (CIP 14.1099) is a specialized engineering category that explores the frontiers of electromagnetic and digital systems. While standard electrical engineering focuses on power grids and basic circuitry, this "Other" designation is the home for advanced niches like terahertz communications, photonics, wireless power transfer, and bio-electronic sensors. It is a path for "energy and signal architects" who want to master the physics of how information and power move through the vacuum of space, the depths of the ocean, or the human body.
This field is ideal for "high-frequency innovators"—individuals who are fascinated by the invisible forces of electromagnetism and want to design the next generation of 6G networks, satellite links, and ultra-efficient energy systems.
What Is an Electrical/Communications Engineering (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on specialized wave and signal propagation. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs are often highly interdisciplinary, blending electrical engineering with optical physics, data science, and materials engineering. You might study how to use light (photonics) instead of electricity to process data, or how to design "Smart Grids" that can self-heal after a storm. It is a mathematically rigorous STEM major that deals with the fundamental nature of energy and information.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "RF (Radio Frequency) Specialists" for the booming satellite and aerospace industries
- Develop experts in Photonics and Optoelectronics—using light for high-speed computing and medical lasers
- Prepare professionals for Digital Signal Processing (DSP) at the edge of AI and machine learning
- Study Quantum Electronics for the development of secure communication channels
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that modern technology depends on the ability to manipulate electrons and photons with extreme precision across vast distances or at a microscopic scale.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Electromagnetic Field Theory to understand how waves travel through different environments
- Use "Network Simulation Tools" to design robust global communication architectures
- Design High-Speed Integrated Circuits that minimize noise and signal loss
- Perform "Spectrum Analysis" to manage the crowded airwaves used by 5G, Wi-Fi, and radar
- Utilize Micro-fabrication Techniques to build sensors and communication chips
- Understand Power Electronics—the conversion and control of electrical power for EVs and renewable energy
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a dense mix of physics, complex math, and advanced electronics:
- Optical Communications: The science of transmitting data through fiber optics and free-space lasers.
- Wireless Systems: The study of antennas, propagation, and mobile network architecture.
- Control Systems: Designing the feedback loops that keep robots, drones, and factories stable.
- Nanophotonics: Manipulating light at the scale of nanometers for ultra-fast computing.
- Information Theory: The mathematical study of the coding, transmission, and compression of data.
- Bio-Electronics: Engineering interfaces between electronic circuits and biological systems.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialized engineers in the tech, defense, and telecommunications sectors.
Common job roles include:
- RF Engineer: Designing and testing antennas and wireless systems for phones and satellites.
- Photonics Engineer: Developing laser systems for manufacturing, medicine, or data centers.
- Communications Architect: Planning the infrastructure for global internet and cellular networks.
- Signal Processing Engineer: Writing the algorithms that clean up audio, video, and radar data.
- Power Electronics Engineer: Designing the charging and power systems for electric vehicles.
- Systems Integration Engineer: Ensuring complex electronic subsystems in aircraft or ships work together.
Where Can You Work?
Electrical and communications specialists work at the heart of the global infrastructure:
- Telecommunications Giants: Companies like Verizon, AT&T, Ericsson, or Nokia.
- Space and Defense Firms: Working on satellite links for NASA, SpaceX, or Northrop Grumman.
- Consumer Electronics: Designing the wireless and power tech for Apple, Samsung, or Sony.
- Automotive Industry: Developing the "connected" and electric tech for firms like Tesla or Ford.
- Energy Utility Companies: Modernizing the grid to handle solar and wind power.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because this field is essential for both the digital economy and national security, salaries are high and growth is steady.
- Electrical Engineers (Specialized): Median annual salary of approximately $105,000–$130,000.
- RF/Wireless Engineers: Salaries typically range from $110,000 to $145,000+.
- Photonics Engineers: Median annual salary of around $95,000–$125,000.
- Entry-Level Junior Engineers: Often start between $80,000 and $95,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the abstract nature of electromagnetics. You must be a master of Vector Calculus and Differential Equations. Unlike mechanical systems, you cannot "see" a signal or a magnetic field, so you must rely on complex mathematical models and simulations. It requires a "high-logic" mindset and extreme attention to detail, as small amounts of interference can break an entire system. It is widely considered one of the most mathematically challenging engineering majors.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by how your phone can send a video to the other side of the planet instantly
- Love physics and want to understand the "invisible" world of waves and energy
- Want to be at the forefront of the 6G and satellite revolutions
- Enjoy using math to solve real-world problems that affect everyone
- Are interested in the intersection of hardware, software, and physics
How to Prepare in High School
- Take the highest levels of Physics and Math (Calculus) available
- Learn Python and MATLAB; these are the standard tools for signal and power analysis
- Join a robotics or amateur radio (Ham radio) club to get hands-on experience
- Practice your logical troubleshooting—learn how to use a multimeter or build simple circuits
- Follow "Tech News" regarding 5G, satellite launches, and renewable energy
The ability to harness and direct the invisible power of the electromagnetic spectrum is the hallmark of a successful electrical and communications engineering professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor