Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at ECPI University

ECPI University's Computer Engineering Technology program starts graduates at $59,330—well above both the national median ($48,829) and Virginia's state median ($54,080). Among the handful of Virginia schools offering this program, it ranks in the 60th percentile, making it a solid middle performer in a state where this degree type isn't widely available.

The $36,956 in median debt sits below Virginia's median for this program ($46,190), creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. Graduates can expect their first-year salary to cover about 1.6 times their debt load, a comfortable cushion for repayment. The 13% earnings growth to $67,235 by year four suggests steady career progression, though the moderate sample size means individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs.

For families weighing ECPI's accelerated format and higher attendance among Pell Grant students (49%), this program delivers tangible results: above-average starting salaries with manageable debt. The tradeoff is straightforward—you're paying for a focused technical education that gets graduates employed quickly, not a traditional four-year experience. If your student wants hands-on tech training with clear job prospects, the numbers support that path here.