Military Systems and Maintenance Technology at Cochise County Community College District

With just two schools nationally offering this specialized associate degree, Cochise County Community College essentially has the market cornered—and the program sits adjacent to Fort Huachey, which explains both the program's existence and its immediate employment pipeline. First-year earnings of $39,428 paired with $17,322 in debt (a 0.44 ratio) represent a manageable entry point into military maintenance careers, though the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means a single cohort's experience could swing these numbers significantly.

The immediate question for your family: does your child have genuine interest in military systems work, or are you drawn to this program simply because the numbers look reasonable? This is an extraordinarily niche field. If your student wants hands-on technical work supporting military operations and can handle the likely requirement to maintain security clearances, the debt load won't overwhelm early earnings. The 39% Pell Grant rate suggests Cochise serves students who need affordable options, and keeping debt under $18,000 for technical training is defensible.

However, understand you're evaluating a program with virtually no comparison data—it's essentially a monopoly credentialing pathway. If your child isn't certain about military contracting work, a broader mechanical or electronics program at another community college would offer more transferable skills and similar debt levels with clearer career flexibility.