Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati State's computer engineering technology program stands out sharply in Ohio's market, with graduates earning $56,504—about $16,000 more than the typical Ohio associate's degree holder in this field. That 80th percentile ranking within the state matters because most community college students attend close to home, and this program is significantly outperforming local alternatives. Nationally, it places even higher at the 95th percentile, though that comparison includes programs across varied cost-of-living markets.

The debt load of $17,246 translates to a 0.31 ratio against first-year earnings, meaning graduates owe roughly one-third of what they'll earn in year one. For a technical associate's degree, that's manageable territory—these graduates could reasonably pay down debt within a few years while establishing their careers. The program serves a substantial number of Pell recipients, suggesting it's accessible to students without deep pockets.

The main caveat: the small sample size means a single cohort's success could skew these numbers considerably. A few graduates landing exceptional positions could inflate the median. Still, even accounting for that uncertainty, the earnings advantage over other Ohio programs is substantial enough to warrant serious consideration, particularly for families seeking affordable technical training with clear workforce demand.