Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Art Center College of Design

A mechanical engineering technology degree from Art Center costs nearly twice as much in student debt as the typical California program ($54,124 vs. $25,359 state median), yet delivers below-average earnings at $59,384—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. To put this in perspective, Cal Poly Pomona graduates in the same field earn about $5,000 more annually while carrying less than half the debt load. This isn't about Art Center's design reputation translating to engineering technology; graduates here start $4,900 below the state median despite attending a school better known for industrial design than technical engineering programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91 means your child would graduate owing nearly a full year's salary, substantially higher than what most engineering technology programs demand. With only three California schools offering this bachelor's degree, you'd think Art Center's design-focused approach might command a premium, but the data suggests the opposite—employers appear to value the traditional engineering technology training offered elsewhere. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers.

If your child is set on Art Center, the industrial or transportation design programs make more sense given the school's strengths. For mechanical engineering technology specifically, Cal Poly Pomona offers better outcomes at lower cost, or consider whether a full mechanical engineering degree (rather than engineering technology) might provide stronger earning potential to justify any debt load.