Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Arkansas State University Mid-South

At Arkansas State University Mid-South, this electrical engineering technology certificate carries an estimated $9,400 in debt—a relatively modest burden for a technical credential. Based on comparable programs nationwide, graduates typically earn around $38,800 in their first year, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24. That means every dollar borrowed would be backed by about four dollars in annual income, which puts this program in reasonable territory for short-term technical training.

The challenge is that these figures represent what happens at similar programs elsewhere, not what Mid-South's own graduates actually achieve. With 365 schools nationwide offering this credential, outcomes vary considerably—some programs push graduates toward $57,000+ while others fall well below the median. Arkansas has eight programs competing in this space, and without reported data from any of them, it's difficult to gauge whether West Memphis employers value this particular credential or whether regional demand supports steady placement. The 36% Pell grant rate suggests Mid-South serves students who need the investment to pay off quickly.

For families weighing this option, the key question is whether local electrical contractors, manufacturers, and utilities actively hire from this program. Contact the department directly for recent graduate placement data and specific employer partnerships in the Memphis metro area—that local intelligence matters more than national estimates when you're betting on quick employment in a specific labor market.