Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Central Ohio Technical College

Similar electrical engineering technology programs in Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $58,000—matching both the state median and the 75th percentile nationally. That's solid footing for an associate degree, particularly when paired with estimated debt near $14,300. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 indicates graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in three months of gross income, which is notably better than the state median debt of $17,600 for comparable programs.

However, the wide variation among Ohio's reported programs should temper expectations. Stark State College graduates earn over $109,000 in their first year, while Zane State sits below $48,000—both pursuing the same credential in the same field. This spread suggests that employer connections, curriculum focus, or regional job markets matter enormously. Without actual outcome data from Central Ohio Technical College itself, you're betting that this Newark-based program will land closer to the middle or upper end of that range rather than the bottom.

The math works if the estimates hold. A $58,000 starting salary with manageable debt puts graduates in decent shape, especially for a two-year program. But you're making decisions based on what peer programs typically produce, not what this specific college has demonstrated. If your child can access the programs with reported outcomes—particularly ones showing stronger earnings—that removes the guesswork.