Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Chattanooga State Community College

The small sample size here is critical context: with under 30 graduates, these numbers could swing dramatically year to year. That said, what we're seeing is a program that ranks in the 60th percentile within Tennessee but only the 24th percentile nationally—suggesting Tennessee's electrical maintenance programs collectively underperform compared to other states. At $24,731 in first-year earnings, graduates are making about $10,000 less than the national median for this credential, though they're roughly on par with most Tennessee programs.

The debt picture is relatively manageable at $7,884, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 that most borrowers can handle. However, the real question is whether this certificate justifies the investment when earnings start below $25,000. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski, also in the state, shows it's possible to achieve significantly higher outcomes in this field—their graduates earn $34,501, suggesting the program structure or industry connections matter considerably.

For families considering this program, understand you're looking at entry-level wages that may require additional work experience or credentials to increase meaningfully. If your student can access one of Tennessee's higher-performing technical colleges for this credential, that appears to be the better path. The low debt is this program's strongest selling point, but only if those earnings grow substantially in years two and beyond.