Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,979
Est. from national median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,563
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable construction engineering technology programs nationwide, Clark College's associate degree appears to position graduates for solid earning potential with manageable debt. Similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $56,000 against roughly $12,600 in borrowing—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 that suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within months rather than years. For a two-year credential, this financial profile looks workable.

What makes this harder to assess is the variation within this field nationally. While peer programs show median earnings of $56,000, the strongest programs reach $73,300—a significant spread that highlights how much individual program quality and local construction markets matter. With only two schools offering this credential in Washington and neither reporting outcomes publicly, there's limited visibility into how Clark College specifically performs. The construction industry around Vancouver sits near Portland's active building market, which could strengthen job prospects, but you're essentially betting on that regional advantage without school-specific data to confirm it.

The bottom line: The national benchmarks suggest reasonable value for students entering construction management or engineering support roles, but verify what employers actually hire from Clark College's program and what starting positions look like locally before committing.

Where Clark College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all construction engineering technologies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Construction Engineering Technologies associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Clark CollegeVancouver$4,632$55,979*$12,563*
Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyOkmulgee$5,774$76,154*$90,703$12,000*0.16
Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown$6,718$75,253*$69,774$12,000*0.16
University of Akron Main CampusAkron$12,799$67,439*$78,325$24,709*0.37
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport$17,940$44,518*$40,651$16,095*0.36
Hudson Valley Community CollegeTroy$6,694$44,162*$52,517*
National Median$55,978*$12,562*0.22
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with construction engineering technologies graduates

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Cost Estimators

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

$77,070/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
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 Clark College, approximately 22% 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 national median of 6 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.