Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's Electrical Engineering Technology program delivers something increasingly rare: solid earnings with minimal debt burden. Graduates leave with just $14,572 in median debt—nearly 30% below the state median and less than half the national average for this degree. That low debt combined with $68,815 starting earnings creates one of the better financial profiles you'll find, with graduates needing to dedicate only about three months of first-year income to pay off loans.

The earnings trajectory reinforces this value. While the program ranks around the middle nationally and performs slightly above California's median, the 21% earnings growth to $82,911 by year four suggests steady career progression. Among California's five schools offering this bachelor's degree, Cal Poly Pomona sits comfortably in the middle of the pack—behind CSU Chico but well ahead of Long Beach. The relatively accessible admission rate (74%) combined with strong financial outcomes makes this particularly attractive for students who might not crack into the most selective engineering programs.

The moderate sample size means these figures could shift somewhat, but the debt advantage is substantial enough to withstand variation. For families concerned about educational debt, this program offers a straightforward path to middle-class stability with manageable financial risk.