Construction Engineering Technologies at Ferris State University

The debt load here looks manageable—$13,000 for an associate's degree is reasonable, especially in a field where hands-on credentials translate quickly to paychecks. National benchmarks for construction engineering technology programs suggest first-year earnings around $56,000, and this program's fourth-year figure of $75,930 shows meaningful progression. That jump from year one to year four is substantial and indicates the field rewards experience, which makes sense in construction management roles where you're coordinating projects and crews rather than swinging hammers.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross income, though real life doesn't work quite that cleanly. Still, it's a favorable starting point compared to many other programs. The real value proposition here is getting into a growing field without the time and expense of a four-year degree. Construction is one of those sectors where employers care more about your ability to read blueprints, manage subcontractors, and keep projects on schedule than whether you spent four years or two in school.

If your child is mechanically inclined and wants to work in construction without being physically on-site every day, this path makes financial sense. The numbers suggest you're looking at solid middle-class earnings without crushing debt—just understand these figures come from peer programs nationally, not Ferris State specifically.