Electrical Engineering Degree in Columbia, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Electrical Engineering degree analysis for Columbia, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$97K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Columbia
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Electrical Engineering in Columbia, MO Overview
Columbia, Missouri (pop. 126,254) has 10 colleges offering Electrical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,005/month. Electrical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Circuit Design and Signal Processing. The adjusted starting salary in Columbia is approximately $67,200.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$11,142/yr
Private Tuition
$31,070/yr
Room & Board
$10,910/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,890/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
63%
Electrical Engineering Salary in Columbia (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbia's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Electrical Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $142,000 senior level.Columbia adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Electrical Engineering ROI Calculator for Columbia
Estimate your return on investment for a Electrical Engineering degree using local Columbia tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,142 | Private avg: $31,070
Columbia avg aid: $16,890/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$37,800
vs HS diploma in Columbia
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbia
$751,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($840,000) minus total education cost ($88,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Electrical Engineering in Columbia
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbia for Electrical Engineering
University of Missouri
public
$11,142/yr
$44,568 total
Stephens College
private
$31,070/yr
$124,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moberly Area Community College Columbia
$3,900/yr
Top Employers for Electrical Engineering in Columbia
Columbia offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Electrical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbia Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Electrical Engineering Job Titles
Electrical Engineering in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$75K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$78K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$64K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Independence, MO
$69K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$76K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$70K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$72K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$67K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Columbia
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$67K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering Degree in Columbia — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Electrical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Columbia.