Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at California State University-Chico

Cal State Chico's Electrical Engineering Technology program shows impressive first-year earnings of nearly $78,000—ranking in the 94th percentile nationally but 60th percentile among California's five programs. That California context is important: while these graduates earn well above the national median, they're roughly in the middle of the pack statewide, where DeVry and Cal Poly Pomona graduates start at similar levels.

The financial picture looks attractive on paper. With median debt around $19,800 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25, graduates owe less than three months of income. Earnings also grow to $86,447 by year four, a solid 11% increase. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with just a few different outcomes—one or two high earners can dramatically skew the median.

For families considering this program, the math works if these numbers hold true, particularly for in-state students paying lower tuition at a school with a 94% admission rate. But verify the program's placement track record and typical employer partnerships before committing, since the limited data makes it hard to confirm whether these outcomes are consistent or outliers.