Engineering Technology at Jackson State Community College

Jackson State's engineering technology graduates earn $61,123 in their first year—substantially better than the $48,320 national median and even ahead of Tennessee's typical $52,531. While debt figures here are estimated from similar community college programs nationally (around $13,834), that's close to what you'd typically see for associate degrees in this field, and the resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary.

The real story is the earnings performance. This program lands in the 95th percentile nationally, beating nearly every other engineering technology associate program in the country. Even within Tennessee—where this field pays well generally—Jackson State's outcomes sit comfortably above the state median. For context, Chattanooga State's reported outcome matches the state median exactly at $52,531, while Jackson State's graduates are pulling in nearly $9,000 more annually.

For families weighing a two-year technical credential, this represents an unusually strong return. The estimated debt burden is modest and manageable, while the earning power rivals what many bachelor's degrees produce immediately after graduation. The 41% Pell grant population suggests this program serves economically diverse students well, transforming modest upfront costs into solid middle-class earnings within a year of completion.