Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Eastwick College-Nutley

At just under $32,000 in first-year earnings, this certificate program falls well short of what electrical engineering technicians typically earn nationally—about $7,200 below the median. However, the state context tells a more nuanced story: this outcome sits at the 60th percentile among New Jersey's electrical engineering technology programs, suggesting the state's market may simply pay less for entry-level technicians than other regions. With only eight schools offering this program in New Jersey, you're looking at a limited field where Eastwick performs slightly above average locally, even as it lags the broader national picture.

The modest debt load of $11,683 keeps this certificate financially manageable, with graduates owing just over four months of their first year's salary. That's a reasonable borrowing level for a short-term credential, particularly for a student body where nearly two-thirds receive Pell grants. The concern is whether these earnings will grow enough to make the investment worthwhile—electrical engineering technicians often see solid wage progression with experience, but there's no data here to confirm that trajectory for Eastwick graduates.

The small sample size means one or two outlier outcomes could significantly skew these numbers either direction. For a New Jersey family, this program might work as an affordable entry point into technical work, but you'd want assurance that graduates are positioned for the career advancement that typically drives technician salaries higher.