Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Computer Engineering Technologies graduates from comparable programs nationally earn around $49,000 in their first year—a figure that falls short of what many families expect from a tech degree. With estimated debt of $25,000 for this program, you're looking at roughly six months of gross income to clear the balance, which is manageable but hardly impressive given Indiana's robust tech sector.

The challenge here is that similar programs in Indiana show a tight earnings range, with Ball State at $51,000 and Indiana State at $49,000, suggesting this field may have a lower ceiling than pure computer science or software engineering tracks. The "technician" designation matters: these roles typically focus on hardware support, network administration, or technical assistance rather than software development, where salaries trend higher. For context, the program sits right at the national median, meaning half of comparable programs produce better outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 is workable, and IU Indianapolis offers the advantage of an urban campus with direct access to employers. But if your child is equally interested in software development or data analytics, those fields typically offer stronger earning trajectories. This path makes most sense for students genuinely drawn to hands-on technical work with physical systems rather than pure coding, and who understand they're entering a solid but not spectacular salary range.