Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Johnson & Wales' Electrical Engineering Technology program graduates earn $72,120 in their first year—about $700 more than the Rhode Island median and $4,700 above the national benchmark. With just two schools offering this program in Rhode Island, you're essentially choosing between JWU and New England Institute of Technology, which reports slightly lower earnings at $70,647. The $27,000 median debt sits comfortably below both state and national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37.

However, there's an important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making these figures less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. Small sample sizes can swing significantly year-to-year based on whether a handful of students land particularly high- or low-paying positions. That said, the numbers align reasonably well with what you'd expect from an engineering technology program—solid middle-class earnings without the debt burden often associated with traditional four-year engineering degrees.

For parents weighing this option, the relatively modest debt load is the strongest selling point. Your child would graduate with manageable payments while entering a field with clear workforce demand. Just recognize that JWU's broader reputation is in hospitality and culinary arts, not engineering, so investigate the program's industry connections and job placement support specifically for engineering technology graduates before committing.