Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at DeVry University-Illinois

DeVry's electrical engineering technology program delivers strong first-year earnings at $58,056—landing at the 75th percentile nationally and matching the Illinois state median. However, this comes at more than double the typical debt load for this field. At $28,782, graduates carry nearly twice the national median of $14,710, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 remains manageable by most standards.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn less four years out ($52,465) than they do immediately after completing the program. That 10% decline is unusual for technical fields and suggests either credential limitations or market dynamics that favor newer graduates. Among the 24 Illinois programs offering this degree, this one ranks in the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional for what students are paying in debt premiums.

The value proposition depends heavily on your child's financial aid package. If grants significantly reduce that $28,782 debt burden, the strong starting salary makes this worthwhile. But at full cost, you're paying premium prices for outcomes that trend downward rather than up. Community college alternatives typically offer this same associate's degree at a fraction of the debt, with comparable or better employment prospects in this field.