Construction Engineering Technologies at Hocking College

Similar construction technology programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $56,000—a solid start for an associate degree that requires an estimated $12,500 in debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, graduates could feasibly pay off what they borrowed within a year or two of focused repayment, which represents manageable financial risk for a technical credential.

What's worth noting is that Ohio's construction technology programs tell a different story. The state median for this field sits at $67,400, more than $11,000 above what comparable programs nationally produce. The University of Akron, for instance, reports exactly that state median for its graduates. This gap suggests that location and program-specific employer connections matter significantly in construction technology, and we can't assume Hocking's outcomes will mirror either the national average or the stronger Ohio programs without actual data.

For parents evaluating this program, the national estimates suggest reasonable value—you're looking at debt that's less than a quarter of first-year earnings, which is manageable. But the wide variation among Ohio programs means you should dig into Hocking's specific industry partnerships and job placement records. Construction technology can lead to strong middle-class careers, but at this school, you're investing based on what similar programs achieve elsewhere rather than proven outcomes here.