Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians at Hennepin Technical College

Hennepin Technical College graduates earn $71,000 right out of the gate—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally for this program—but those earnings show minimal growth over four years. The debt picture is reasonable at $16,465, translating to a 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio that gives graduates significant breathing room in their first year. While this program leads all Minnesota schools in this field by a notable margin (about $2,000 more than Dakota County Technical College), the 60th percentile state ranking suggests Minnesota has strong technical training across the board.

The earnings plateau is worth understanding: graduates start strong but see virtually no income growth between years one and four. This likely reflects the nature of industrial maintenance work rather than a program weakness—compensation in these roles typically increases through shift differentials and overtime rather than dramatic salary jumps. The moderate Pell grant percentage (26%) and low debt load suggest this program serves a mix of students without creating financial strain.

For families prioritizing immediate earning power and manageable debt, this program delivers. Your child would likely start earning more than most bachelor's degree holders right away, with debt they could reasonably pay off within a year or two of working. Just understand you're buying peak earnings early rather than a steep growth trajectory.