Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Earning $93,433 in your first year out of college puts Embry-Riddle's mechanical engineering technology program among the top performers nationally—95th percentile—and substantially ahead of the $62,503 national median. While the debt figure of $27,125 is estimated from similar programs at comparable institutions rather than this school's actual graduate outcomes, the resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 suggests graduates could realistically pay off their loans in under four months of gross salary. That's a favorable starting point for a field where hands-on technical skills command immediate market value.

What makes this outcome particularly noteworthy is Embry-Riddle's aviation and aerospace specialization. The school's location near major aerospace employers and its industry connections likely explain why graduates earn significantly more than the national median for this degree. The estimated debt level aligns with national norms for engineering technology programs, meaning the premium here is in the earnings, not unusually low borrowing.

The main uncertainty lies in whether this specific program's debt profile matches the estimate—small cohort sizes mean the DOE suppressed actual figures. However, the strong earnings performance is verified data, and for parents weighing a specialized technical program, the combination of immediate earning power and manageable estimated debt makes this a defensible investment, particularly if aerospace interests align with career goals.