Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degree) at Iowa Lakes Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$58,261

Est. from national median (57 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$12,000

Est. from national median (28 programs)

Analysis

Technical training in electromechanical instrumentation occupies a sweet spot in the skilled trades—less saturated than welding or general maintenance, but with steady demand from manufacturers and industrial facilities. At Iowa Lakes, the estimated $12,000 debt load compares favorably to the $16,000 median for similar programs in Iowa, while the anticipated first-year earnings of roughly $58,000 align with national outcomes for this field.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 suggests graduates from comparable programs could clear their debt in about two and a half months of gross income—a manageable burden for technical credentials. However, it's worth noting that Iowa's median for this field sits closer to $50,000, about $8,000 below the national figure this estimate draws from. Geographic location matters in manufacturing regions, and rural Iowa may offer different opportunities than states with denser industrial corridors.

For parents evaluating this investment, the practical question is whether their student plans to stay in Iowa or relocate after graduation. If mobility is an option, the national earning potential makes this a reasonable bet at the estimated debt level. If staying local, the program still pencils out, but expectations should align more with Iowa's lower median. Either way, the low debt burden provides a cushion that many four-year degrees can't match.

Where Iowa Lakes Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (10 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Iowa Lakes Community CollegeEstherville	$7,196	$58,261*	—	$12,000*	—
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids	$5,980	$50,387*	$64,774	$15,983*	0.32
National Median	—	$58,261*	—	$13,084*	0.22

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians graduates

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Medical Equipment Repairers

Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

$62,630/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other

All precision instrument and equipment repairers not listed separately.

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 Iowa Lakes Community College, approximately 20% 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 57 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.