Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at College of DuPage

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 is solid territory for an associate degree—based on comparable electrical engineering technology programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $55,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $12,000 in debt. That's manageable repayment on a technician's salary, especially in a field where hands-on skills often matter more than credentials alone. The concerning outlier here is the Illinois state picture: similar programs across the state show a median debt load of nearly $29,000, more than double the national estimate. College of DuPage's community college structure likely keeps costs in check, but it's worth confirming actual program costs before enrolling.

The earnings estimate aligns with the national median, though it trails slightly behind what the one comparable Illinois program with reported data shows ($58,000). Electrical engineering technicians work in manufacturing, utilities, and construction—sectors with strong presence in the Chicago suburbs—so local job market dynamics could push actual outcomes higher or lower than these peer-based projections. The low Pell grant percentage (20%) suggests this program may draw students with existing financial resources or employer sponsorship, which could influence both completion rates and debt loads.

The math works if the debt estimate holds true, but verify the actual cost of attendance at College of DuPage against your financial aid package. An associate degree that puts you $12,000 in debt for a $55,000 starting salary is defensible; one that costs $30,000 (the Illinois median) fundamentally changes the calculation.