Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at James A. Rhodes State College

Ohio's electrical engineering technology programs show considerable variation, and Rhodes State's certificate sits in an interesting position. Comparable programs in the state produce median earnings around $28,700, while similar certificates nationally suggest first-year earnings closer to $38,800. Rhodes State's estimated debt of $9,400 falls below both state and national medians, which matters significantly when you're looking at a short-term certificate designed to get students working quickly.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 suggests this could be a manageable investment—roughly three months of gross income to repay, assuming the earnings estimates hold. However, the wide spread between state and national figures ($10,000 difference) introduces real uncertainty about what your child might actually earn. Some Ohio tech programs produce graduates earning well above the state median, but without actual outcomes data from Rhodes State, you're essentially betting on which benchmark proves more accurate.

For families prioritizing affordability and speed to employment, the low estimated debt load is the strongest selling point here. But before committing, contact the school's career services directly and ask for job placement rates and starting salaries for recent certificate completers. The estimates suggest a viable path, but you need Rhodes State's actual track record to know whether this specific program delivers on that promise or underperforms relative to Ohio's median.