Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Albany Technical College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 is genuinely strong for a technical associate's degree, though it's important to understand that both figures here—roughly $12,000 in debt and $55,000 in first-year earnings—come from national patterns rather than Albany Tech's actual graduate outcomes. The Department of Education suppresses data when graduate cohorts are too small to publish, which means we're looking at what similar electrical engineering technology programs typically produce nationwide, not what this specific program has delivered.

That said, the estimated numbers tell a reasonable story. Electrical technician roles are in steady demand, and similar associate's programs nationally show graduates entering the field at salary levels that make moderate debt manageable. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, Albany Tech serves a population where even $12,000 in debt isn't trivial, but a starting salary around $55,000 provides meaningful breathing room if these estimates hold true for this program.

The challenge is that you're making this decision without visibility into Albany Tech's actual track record. Six schools in Georgia offer this program, but none have published outcomes data, which means you can't compare local alternatives or verify how well Albany Tech specifically prepares graduates for the regional job market. If electrical technician work aligns with your child's interests and they can keep borrowing close to this estimate, the math looks promising—but confirm job placement support and equipment quality before committing.