Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Henderson Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$60,381

Est. from KY median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$8,396

Est. from KY median (3 programs)

Analysis

The debt-to-earnings picture here looks remarkably favorable—an estimated $8,400 in debt against first-year earnings around $60,400 translates to manageable monthly payments that shouldn't strain a typical technician's budget. Based on comparable electrical engineering technology programs in Kentucky, graduates typically see earnings that substantially outpace the national median of $38,800, suggesting the state's manufacturing and industrial sectors pay well for these skills.

What makes this estimate particularly credible is that it aligns with reported outcomes from similar Kentucky community colleges. Programs at Bluegrass and Southcentral Kentucky show earnings in the $60,000-$70,000 range for certificate holders, indicating strong regional demand for electrical technicians. The lower debt burden compared to the national median ($11,976) is also consistent with community college pricing in Kentucky.

The practical takeaway: if your child is considering skilled trades rather than a four-year degree, this type of certificate program demonstrates how technical credentials can deliver solid earnings without accumulating significant debt. The risk here isn't the investment itself—it's whether this specific program at Henderson can match the outcomes that peer institutions report. Request placement rates and job connections with local employers to verify that Henderson's students actually access these regional opportunities, since those connections matter as much as the curriculum in technical fields.

Where Henderson Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (10 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Henderson Community CollegeHenderson	$4,656	$60,381*	—	$8,396*	—
Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington	$4,706	$69,924*	—	$7,000*	0.10
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeBowling Green	$4,656	$60,381*	—	$8,396*	0.14
Big Sandy Community and Technical CollegePrestonsburg	$4,656	$31,217*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$38,804*	—	$11,976*	0.31

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Henderson Community College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.