Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,804
Est. from national median (14 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$9,399
Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable electrical engineering technology programs nationwide, this certificate carries an estimated $9,400 in debtβ€”a reasonable price tag that's actually below the national median for these programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 suggests graduates could pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings, which represents manageable risk for technical training.

The challenge lies in the earnings trajectory. First-year earnings around $38,800 align with the national median for these certificates, but four-year earnings barely budge to $39,000. Peer programs at the 75th percentile produce $57,000 earners, suggesting that top electrical technology programs do create significantly better outcomes. Whether Eastern Iowa's program achieves those results remains unclear given the limited graduate sample that necessitated these estimates.

For parents, this program's value depends heavily on local labor market conditions and whether your student plans to leverage this certificate as a stepping stone toward an associate or bachelor's degree. The low debt load means limited downside risk, but the flat earnings pattern in the available data raises questions about advancement potential with just a certificate. Contact the placement office to ask specific questions: Where do graduates work? What percentage continue their education? How do local employers value this credential compared to an associate degree?

Where Eastern Iowa Community College District Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Eastern Iowa Community College Districtβ€”$38,977β€”
Danville Community College$57,533$45,206-21%
Wichita Technical Institute$38,403$35,716-7%
Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad$22,256$24,590+10%
Huertas College$20,904$23,344+12%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport$4,680$38,804*$38,977$9,399*β€”
Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington$4,706$69,924*β€”$7,000*0.10
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeBowling Green$4,656$60,381*β€”$8,396*0.14
Dallas CollegeDallas$2,370$59,679*β€”$12,269*0.21
Danville Community CollegeDanville$4,848$57,533*$45,206$7,999*0.14
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk$5,714$56,971*β€”$14,789*0.26
National Medianβ€”$38,804*β€”$11,976*0.31
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Eastern Iowa Community College District, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.