Analysis
Indiana State's Engineering Technology bachelor's leads to first-year earnings around $60,500—figures drawn from national peer programs since the graduate cohort here is too small for the DOE to publish school-specific data. At an estimated $26,325 in debt, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning they'd owe roughly five months' salary. That's manageable by most standards: similar engineering technology programs nationally produce graduates who can realistically pay down their loans within a few years while building technical careers.
The catch is uncertainty. With only four schools offering this major in Indiana and none reporting sufficient data for direct comparison, you're making decisions without knowing how Indiana State's specific curriculum, industry connections, or placement record stacks up locally. Engineering technology sits between pure engineering and skilled trades—it can lead to solid manufacturing, quality control, or technical support roles, but the career trajectory depends heavily on which industries recruit from campus and whether the program emphasizes hands-on skills employers want.
Given the high admission rate and significant Pell enrollment, this program likely serves students seeking accessible pathways into technical fields. If your child has campus visit impressions, can talk to current students about job placement, and knows which local employers hire from this program, those insights matter more than national estimates. Without that ground truth, you're betting on a reasonably-priced degree with typical engineering technology outcomes—not a bad gamble, but one where the house rules remain unclear.
Where Indiana State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Engineering Technology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,992 | $60,529* | — | $26,325* | — | |
| $10,164 | $85,830* | $71,347 | $30,982* | 0.36 | |
| $8,353 | $70,789* | — | $25,666* | 0.36 | |
| $17,809 | $69,483* | $81,683 | $26,325* | 0.38 | |
| $7,278 | $69,483* | $81,683 | $26,325* | 0.38 | |
| $7,278 | $69,483* | $81,683 | $26,325* | 0.38 | |
| National Median | — | $60,529* | — | $26,325* | 0.43 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
Robotics Technicians
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Photonics Technicians
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 Indiana State University, approximately 39% 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 national median of 34 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.