Engineering Technology at Edmonds College

Based on comparable Engineering Technology associate's programs nationally, graduates can expect first-year earnings around $48,300—right at the national median for this credential. That's a solid starting point for a two-year degree, particularly in Washington's higher-cost job market. The estimated debt load of roughly $13,800 translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, meaning students would owe less than three months' salary. This aligns closely with national benchmarks for the field, where similar programs typically carry about $12,900 in debt.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With no reported outcomes from Edmonds specifically and no published data from the nine other Washington schools offering this program, you're making decisions on national patterns rather than local results. Engineering technology roles in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area could command significantly higher wages than the national average, or local graduates might face tougher competition from four-year engineering programs. The 15% Pell rate suggests this isn't serving the state's neediest students in large numbers.

For families comfortable with some ambiguity, the national data suggests a reasonable investment—low debt for a technical field with clear employment pathways. But if you need confidence about Washington-specific outcomes or want to compare local options, you'll need to dig deeper into placement rates and employer partnerships that aren't captured in federal data.