Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Brightpoint Community College

Brightpoint's electrical engineering technology certificate graduates earn nearly $10,000 less than the typical Virginia program in this field—placing them in just the 25th percentile statewide. While the $39,204 first-year salary roughly matches the national average, it falls short against Virginia competitors like Danville Community College ($57,533) and Tidewater Community College ($56,971), both of which deliver substantially stronger outcomes in the same market.

The program's saving grace is its low debt load. At $9,000, graduates borrow about half the national median and carry a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in less than three months of gross earnings. This makes the program financially manageable even if the earnings disappoint. The moderate sample size suggests these outcomes are reasonably reliable, though not definitive.

For Virginia families, this presents a tradeoff: Brightpoint offers an accessible entry point into electrical technology careers without crushing debt, but other community colleges in the state consistently place graduates into higher-paying positions. If proximity to Chester is essential, the low debt makes this workable. Otherwise, exploring Danville or Tidewater—both of which offer 45-50% higher starting salaries—would be worth the commute or relocation for most students.