Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Cape Fear Community College

With national benchmarks suggesting first-year earnings around $55,000 and debt around $12,000, this program appears to deliver solid technical training at a manageable cost. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 means graduates from similar programs typically borrow less than three months of their first-year salary—a comfortable position for an associate degree that gets you into the workforce quickly. North Carolina has dozens of electrical engineering technology programs, but without reported data from peer schools in the state, we can't say whether Cape Fear's specific outcomes match, exceed, or lag behind local competitors.

The broader picture for electrical engineering technicians is straightforward: it's skilled trade work with steady demand and decent pay for a two-year credential. National data shows relatively consistent outcomes across programs, which suggests the field itself—rather than the specific school—drives much of your earning potential. The modest Pell grant participation (18%) might indicate this program attracts students with some existing resources, though that doesn't tell us much about job placement or graduate satisfaction at Cape Fear specifically.

The key uncertainty here is whether Cape Fear's actual graduates match these national estimates. Before committing, talk to the program directly about their recent graduates' job placement rates and starting salaries in the Wilmington area. If their outcomes align with these national figures, you're looking at a practical credential with reasonable debt—but you'll need to verify that yourself.