Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Joliet Junior College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,804

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,399

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Is a technical certificate worth taking on nearly $10,000 in debt when first-year earnings hover around $39,000? Comparable electrical engineering technology programs nationally suggest this could work financially—the estimated debt burden represents just six months of earnings, well below concerning thresholds. However, Illinois programs in this field show considerable variation. While Joliet's estimated outcomes align with national patterns, the one nearby program with reported data shows graduates earning just $28,732, significantly below the national median. This gap matters: at $38,804, you're looking at manageable debt service; at $28,732, those same loan payments feel much heavier.

The challenge with certificate programs is that they're designed for quick workforce entry, but the Illinois market for electrical technicians appears less robust than national trends suggest. Similar programs across the country produce that $38,804 figure, but local employers may not offer the same compensation. Before enrolling, your student should connect with Joliet's career services to understand where recent graduates actually land jobs and what those positions pay in the Chicago metro area. If local employers consistently hire from this program at competitive wages, the modest debt load makes sense. If most graduates are scraping by at $30,000 or less, that certificate becomes a much riskier investment than the estimated numbers suggest.

Where Joliet Junior College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet	$4,530	$38,804*	—	$9,399*	—
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career CollegeRockford	$16,699	$28,732*	—	$13,583*	0.47
National Median	—	$38,804*	—	$11,976*	0.31

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

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

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

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

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

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.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:

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 Joliet Junior College, approximately 23% 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 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.