Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Herkimer County Community College

Based on similar electrical engineering technology programs across New York, graduates entering the workforce can expect to earn around $50,000 in their first year—solidly middle-of-the-pack for community colleges in the state but trailing the national median by about $5,000. The estimated $12,000 in debt comes in lower than both state and national norms for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 that suggests manageable repayment even at these more modest salary levels. For context, this earning estimate puts the program closer to Onondaga Community College's outcomes than to DeVry's $58,000 figure, though without this specific school's actual graduate data, these comparisons remain approximations.

The real question is whether these peer program benchmarks translate to Herkimer's local employment landscape. Electrical engineering technicians typically find work in manufacturing, utilities, and industrial settings—sectors where location matters tremendously. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants, many graduates likely need to start earning quickly, and the gap between New York programs and the national median suggests the state's opportunities may not match those in regions with heavier industrial bases.

If your child has solid connections to electrical employers in the Mohawk Valley or is willing to relocate to areas with stronger industrial job markets, the low estimated debt makes this a defensible path into skilled trades work. But recognize you're betting on outcomes comparable to other New York community colleges without confirmation that Herkimer's specific program delivers those results.