Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies at Ferris State University

Students graduating from Ferris State's heavy equipment maintenance program start at $55,500—squarely at the national median but notably stronger than Michigan's $50,500 state median. Among the 11 Michigan schools offering this program, Ferris ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most in-state alternatives. The earnings trajectory looks solid too: graduates see a 27% jump to $70,500 by year four, suggesting real skill development and career progression in the trades.

The debt picture is reasonable at $13,000, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23. That's manageable—less than three months of first-year salary. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with future cohorts. A program this size might also mean fewer industry connections or less institutional infrastructure compared to larger technical programs.

For students serious about heavy equipment work and planning to stay in Michigan, Ferris offers above-average outcomes without crushing debt. The earnings growth suggests employers value the training. Just recognize you're looking at a small program where individual circumstances can swing the averages, so the typical graduate experience might vary more than at larger programs.