What's the likelihood of getting hired by a major company, such as Northrup Grumman, right out of college?

Hi Charles!
Just about every major engineering company has a robust "entry-level engineer" hiring scheme. Most engineering organizations need fresh graduates to bring into the company, and Northrup Grumman is no exception as I see their booths at college career fairs routinely.

However, your comment on "experience" should be viewed in a different light. Recruiters like myself always look to see if candidates have related internship experiences in the engineering realm. So if you want to have the best chances of getting hired fresh out of an undergraduate degree, do your best to gain any internship positions you can within companies in your field. Most companies, including mine, also have robust internship programs to give students the opportunity to gain engineering experience before graduation. That's the kind of experience that recruiters are looking for in "fresh-out" new hires.

Side topic, we also look for strong teamwork and leadership experience, i.e. officer positions in engineering student organizations in extra-curricular clubs or projects.

Get out there and network, it makes a difference!
I hope this helps!

Yes, Northrup Grumman has an Internships program.

http://www.northropgrumman.com/careers/Students-Entry-Level/Pages/Internships.aspx

Many years ago I started my career out of the Navy into General Electrics' apprenticeship program.

On the Internet I didn't find major corporations in Central Louisiana but there are corporations close by.

Major companies have a heavy recruiting strategy for hiring students as they graduate and even hire interns and coops while they are still in school. The key is good grades, projects classes usually in your junior and senior year that demonstrate your passion, and the ability to interview well.

Your career center on campus should be able to help you on the last one.

The question that you need to answer is if you want a narrow or a broad experience early in your career. The larger the company, the narrow your role will be. This usually means that you will go very deep into that role. If you want a broadly defined role, smaller companies or divisions will have you doing a larger variety of things in your role. There is not a right or a wrong answer, but a decision that you will make,