Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Central Virginia Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,538

Est. from VA median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,399

Est. from VA median (4 programs)

Analysis

A debt load under $10,000 for a technical credential looks manageable on paper, especially when similar Virginia programs suggest first-year earnings around $48,500. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 falls comfortably in the safe zone. But here's what matters more: peer data from other Virginia community colleges shows a wide earnings spread—from $39,000 to nearly $58,000—suggesting that local job markets and employer connections make a huge difference in electrical technology fields.

Central Virginia Community College serves the Lynchburg area, where manufacturing and healthcare facilities create demand for electrical technicians. The estimated earnings align with the state median, which beats the national figure by nearly $10,000. However, without actual graduate outcomes from this specific program, it's impossible to know whether CVCC's partnerships and training align more with the higher-earning programs like Danville ($57,500) or the lower-earning ones like Brightpoint ($39,200). That's a $18,000 annual difference—more than the entire estimated debt.

Before enrolling, your child should visit the program, ask about job placement rates and employer partnerships, and connect with recent graduates if possible. The credential appears financially viable based on comparable Virginia programs, but the quality of local industry connections will determine whether it delivers closer to the top or bottom of that earnings range.

Where Central Virginia Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (23 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Central Virginia Community CollegeLynchburg	$4,998	$48,538*	—	$9,399*	—
Danville Community CollegeDanville	$4,848	$57,533*	$45,206	$7,999*	0.14
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk	$5,714	$56,971*	—	$14,789*	0.26
Virginia Western Community CollegeRoanoke	$5,256	$40,104*	—	—*	—
Brightpoint Community CollegeChester	$4,938	$39,204*	—	$9,000*	0.23
National Median	—	$38,804*	—	$11,976*	0.31

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central Virginia Community College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.