Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's electrical engineering technology program delivers exactly what associate degree programs should: accessible training that leads to solid middle-class earnings. At $54,852 in first-year earnings and just $12,125 in median debt, graduates enter the workforce with a debt load they can manage in about three months of income—far better than the crushing burden that saddles many bachelor's degree holders.

The 17% earnings growth over four years shows this isn't a dead-end credential. Graduates move from $54,852 to $64,016 as they gain experience, suggesting employers value these technicians and create advancement paths. Within Indiana, this program outperforms most alternatives, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—notably ahead of Vincennes University's comparable program. The debt burden sits near the state median, meaning Ivy Tech isn't padding costs while delivering competitive outcomes.

For families weighing a four-year engineering degree against this two-year path, consider the math: your child could be earning over $50,000 within a year of graduation with minimal debt, or spending two more years accumulating costs for a bachelor's that *might* yield higher long-term earnings. This program offers a practical entry point into technical work with room to grow—either in the field or by adding credentials later while already earning.