Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Cleveland Community College

Cleveland Community College's electrical engineering technology certificate shows a reasonable debt load—an estimated $9,399—but the earnings picture based on national peer programs raises questions about immediate return. Similar certificates nationally produce first-year earnings around $38,800, which translates to roughly $19 per hour. That's a modest bump over retail or service work, though it could open doors to better advancement than those sectors typically offer.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 looks manageable on paper, meaning graduates would owe about three months of their first-year salary. However, there's considerable variation among these programs nationally—the top quarter of schools produce graduates earning $57,400 in their first year, nearly 50% more than the median. Without actual outcomes data from Cleveland CC specifically, it's unclear where this program falls in that range. The school serves a largely Pell-eligible population (48%), which suggests many students are making this investment with limited financial cushion.

For families in the Shelby area, the key question is whether this certificate leads to stable technician roles with local manufacturers or utilities that offer benefits and clear promotion paths. If graduates typically transition into industrial maintenance or manufacturing support positions with growth potential, the modest initial earnings might be acceptable. But if $38,800 represents a ceiling rather than a starting point, parents should press the school for placement details and talk to recent graduates before committing.