Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Bowling Green State University-Firelands
Bachelor's Degree
firelands.bgsu.eduAnalysis
Graduates from similar engineering technology bachelor's programs typically carry around $25,000 in debt, which this program matches closely. That debt level, paired with first-year earnings of $66,669, produces a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly 37 cents for every dollar earned in year one. In practical terms, this suggests monthly loan payments around $275 on a standard 10-year plan, which is workable on an engineering technician's salary.
The earnings figure sits right at the national median for this field and actually performs slightly better than average within Ohio, where only three schools offer this bachelor's degree. That $66,669 matches what the main Bowling Green campus reports, which makes sense given both are part of the same university system. The consistency is reassuring, even if we're working with estimates based on peer programs rather than this specific campus's track record.
The core question is whether the Firelands campus delivers comparable career outcomes to the main Bowling Green location. If so, this represents solid vocational preparation with debt that shouldn't derail financial plans. The limited data means you're making this decision with less certainty than ideal, but the fundamentals—earnings potential and manageable borrowing based on similar programs—point toward reasonable value for students interested in technical work over pure engineering.
Where Bowling Green State University-Firelands Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technologies/technicians bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Bowling Green State University-Firelands graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Engineering Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,206 | $66,669 | — | $24,736* | — | |
| $14,081 | $66,669 | $78,595 | $23,750* | 0.36 | |
| $9,622 | $51,174 | $69,847 | $28,750* | 0.56 | |
| National Median | — | $66,626 | — | $25,000* | 0.38 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bowling Green State University-Firelands, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.