Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians at Houston Community College

The small sample size here makes definitive conclusions risky, but the pattern is troubling enough to warrant serious scrutiny. While graduates initially earn $47,146—actually at the state median for this field—earnings drop 14% by year four to just $40,707. In an industry known for boom-and-bust cycles, that backward trajectory matters. The program also saddles students with $31,138 in debt, well above both the national median ($18,848) and what you'd expect for a two-year degree.

Houston's energy sector ties should theoretically give this program an advantage, yet it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for earnings while sitting at the 60th percentile within Texas. That gap suggests either the state's petroleum tech programs collectively underperform, or Houston specifically struggles to place graduates in the higher-paying roles. The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic on day one, but it worsens as earnings decline.

With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these figures could shift dramatically year to year. If your child is drawn to energy sector work, investigate whether this leads to stable technician roles or temporary field positions vulnerable to industry downturns. At minimum, confirm the career trajectory with recent alumni before committing to above-average debt for below-average outcomes.