Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Collin County Community College District

Similar electrical engineering technology programs in Texas report substantially higher starting earnings—Dallas College graduates begin at nearly $60,000, which should prompt serious questions about why this estimate sits around $39,000. That's a $20,000 gap that could reflect different industry connections, curriculum focus, or simply the limitation of using national averages when Texas's tech sector typically pays well above the national norm for technicians.

The estimated debt of $9,400 looks manageable at first glance, giving this program a 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio. But context matters: you're potentially borrowing nearly $10,000 for a certificate that, based on comparable programs nationally, produces earnings $21,000 below what other Texas schools achieve. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker if this certificate serves as a stepping stone to better-paying positions or further education, but as a standalone credential, the math gets uncomfortable quickly.

Here's what parents should know: electrical engineering technology credentials can be solid investments when they lead to decent-paying industrial or manufacturing jobs. But the wide variation in Texas outcomes—from $39,000 to nearly $60,000—suggests program quality and employer relationships matter enormously. Before committing, find out where Collin County's graduates actually land jobs and what they're earning two years out. The estimated figures here simply can't tell you whether this specific program connects students to Texas's better-paying technical positions or leaves them competing at national wage levels in a higher-cost state.