Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Colby Community College

Is $38,800 in first-year earnings enough to offset even modest debt from a technical certificate? For comparable electrical technology programs nationwide, the answer depends largely on where graduates land. The estimated earnings here sit right at the national median, meaning this program appears typical rather than exceptional—half of similar programs produce better outcomes, half worse. The one bright spot: estimated debt of $9,400 is notably lower than both the national median ($12,000) and Kansas median ($16,500), suggesting Colby keeps costs in check even if earning power doesn't stand out.

The practical math works in this program's favor. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 means graduates would owe roughly three months' salary—manageable for most entry-level technicians. But context matters: Kansas programs show significant variation, and without reported outcomes from Colby specifically, you're betting on the state's electrical technology market rather than this school's track record. The single Kansas program with published data (Wichita Technical Institute) produces nearly identical earnings, which either validates the estimate or highlights how little differentiation exists among in-state options.

The bottom line: This looks like a reasonable pathway into electrical technology work if your child needs credentials quickly and affordably, but don't expect exceptional earnings right out of the gate. The low estimated debt makes experimentation less risky, though verifying actual job placement rates and employer connections at Colby would help confirm whether this estimate reflects their graduates' reality.