Electrical Engineering Degree in Glendale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Electrical Engineering degree analysis for Glendale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Reviewed May 21, 2026. DegreeCalc calculators are educational planning tools; verify final tuition, aid, transcript, loan, and employment decisions with official school, federal, servicer, or employer records.
Starting Salary
$84K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$121K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Electrical Engineering in Glendale, AZ Overview
Glendale, Arizona (pop. 248,325) has 16 local education-market benchmark points for Electrical Engineering planning. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,370/month. Electrical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Circuit Design and Signal Processing. The adjusted starting salary in Glendale is approximately $84,000.
Category
Engineering
Local Benchmarks
16
Public Tuition
$12,652/yr
Private Tuition
$44,500/yr
Room & Board
$13,685/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,168/yr
Unemployment (est.)
4.8%
Graduation Rate (est.)
53%
How to Study Electrical Engineering in Glendale: Campus, Online, or Transfer
Students searching for a Electrical Engineering degree in Glendale, AZ usually need a practical path, not just a salary estimate. Use the three options below to compare local cost, credential quality, and flexibility before applying.
Nearby Campus Path
Start with NCES College Navigator and each school's catalog. Confirm the program name, degree level, tuition, graduation rate, internship support, and whether the Electrical Engineering major is actually offered at that campus.
Online Degree Path
Electrical Engineering is not always a clean fully-online fit. Look for hybrid programs and ask whether required labs, clinics, studios, or field placements can be completed near Glendale.
Transfer-Cost Path
Community college tuition near Glendale averages $2,580/year in this model. A 2+2 transfer plan can reduce debt if the receiving university accepts credits into the Electrical Engineering major.
We intentionally avoid listing unverified local school names on this page. Always verify programs with official school catalogs, NCES/IPEDS, and financial aid offices before applying.
Electrical Engineering Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Modeled salaries: national benchmarks for the major scaled by an estimated Glendale cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100). These are not measured local wages.
Note: National Electrical Engineering salary benchmarks used by this model: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $142,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Electrical Engineering ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Electrical Engineering degree using DegreeCalc's modeled Glendale tuition and cost of living estimates.
Public est.: $12,652 | Private est.: $44,500
Glendale est. aid: $14,168/yr
Federal undergrad (2026-27): 6.52% | Private rates vary by credit
Total Education Cost
$105,348
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$47,250
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$944,652
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,050,000) minus total education cost ($105,348)
Student Loan Payoff for Electrical Engineering in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Glendale Education Cost Inputs for Electrical Engineering
This local ROI model uses aggregate tuition, aid, housing, and cost-of-living inputs for Glendale, not a ranked list of individual schools. Confirm any specific program with NCES College Navigator or the school before applying.
Local benchmarks
16
Public tuition
$12,652/yr
Private tuition
$44,500/yr
Community college
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Electrical Engineering in Glendale
Typical hiring sectors for Electrical Engineering graduates include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; these are general sector categories, not a verified list of Glendale employers. Common employer types nationally include:
Typical Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Electrical Engineering Job Titles
Other Engineering Majors in Glendale
Petroleum Engineering
$53K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$82K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we estimate Electrical Engineering degree outcomes in Glendale, AZ: This page is a planning model. It combines DegreeCalc's national salary benchmarks for the major with internal city-level estimates for tuition, room and board, aid, unemployment, graduation rate, and cost of living. The figures are not official statistics for Glendale and are not pulled directly from federal datasets for this city.
- Tuition defaults to the modeled Glendale public tuition estimate (not program-specific Electrical Engineering tuition). Verify actual program prices in IPEDS / College Navigator.
- Salary estimates multiply the national benchmark for Electrical Engineering by the estimated Glendale cost of living index divided by 100. This is a simple scaling assumption, not BLS local wage data.
- Payback period = (tuition + room and board − aid over the years of study) ÷ (adjusted starting salary − a $35,000 high school benchmark scaled by the same index). Lifetime return = the major's lifetime earnings premium benchmark scaled by the index, minus that net cost. Loan interest is shown separately and is not subtracted.
- Job market outlook is not projected on this page; see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for official 10-year projections.
- Default rates are not modeled here; College Scorecard reports repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electrical Engineering career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Electrical Engineering grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · Model estimates; verify with the official sources above
Financial Aid Resources for Glendale Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Arizona students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The Department of Education has begun showing lower-earnings warnings for some programs on the FAFSA, and a federal earnings accountability test for Direct Loan eligibility takes effect July 1, 2027 — check your target program's outcomes:
Pell Grant maximum is set each award year. Undergraduate Direct Loans at 6.52% (first disbursed July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Arizona programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "arizona higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
FAFSA tip: Check any lower-earnings warning and the program's College Scorecard earnings data before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Electrical Engineering Degree in Glendale — FAQ
What is the starting salary for Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $84,000 per year for Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale, AZ. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($80,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 105, so the local estimate is 5% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Electrical Engineering degree worth it in Glendale?
A Electrical Engineering degree in Glendale has an estimated ROI payback period of 2.2 years, with a projected lifetime return of $944,652 after subtracting education costs. With 16 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $12,652/year, Glendale offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 4.8% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 2.3% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Electrical Engineering in Glendale?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Glendale at about $12,652 per year and private university tuition at about $44,500/year. Including estimated room and board ($13,685/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $105,348 at a public school to $232,740 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $14,168/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Electrical Engineering online while living in Glendale?
Electrical Engineering is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Glendale, AZ should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Electrical Engineering graduates get in Glendale?
Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale can pursue careers as Electrical Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Controls Engineer. Skills commonly associated with this field include Circuit Design, Signal Processing, Embedded Systems, Power Systems. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; verify which of these are active in Glendale with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Intel, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm.
How long to pay off student loans for Electrical Engineering in Glendale?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale would pay $1,196/month on an estimated $105,348 in loans, with $38,197 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,061/month but save $19,869 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $84,000, monthly payments would represent 17% of gross monthly income.
Data note: Salary, tuition, aid, and cost-of-living figures on this page are DegreeCalc planning estimates, not official values. For official data, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS Regional Data, and NCES/IPEDS.
Explore More
Compare Electrical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Glendale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $84,000 per year for Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale, AZ. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($80,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 105, so the local estimate is 5% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Electrical Engineering degree worth it in Glendale?
A Electrical Engineering degree in Glendale has an estimated ROI payback period of 2.2 years, with a projected lifetime return of $944,652 after subtracting education costs. With 16 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $12,652/year, Glendale offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 4.8% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 2.3% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Electrical Engineering in Glendale?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Glendale at about $12,652 per year and private university tuition at about $44,500/year. Including estimated room and board ($13,685/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $105,348 at a public school to $232,740 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $14,168/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Electrical Engineering online while living in Glendale?
Electrical Engineering is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Glendale, AZ should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Electrical Engineering graduates get in Glendale?
Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale can pursue careers as Electrical Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Controls Engineer. Skills commonly associated with this field include Circuit Design, Signal Processing, Embedded Systems, Power Systems. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; verify which of these are active in Glendale with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Intel, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm.
How long to pay off student loans for Electrical Engineering in Glendale?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Electrical Engineering graduates in Glendale would pay $1,196/month on an estimated $105,348 in loans, with $38,197 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,061/month but save $19,869 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $84,000, monthly payments would represent 17% of gross monthly income.