Engineering Technology at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo Valley's Engineering Technology associate's program shows an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures may not represent typical outcomes. Graduates start at $46,493—already below both the state and national median of $48,320—but then see earnings drop 18% to just $38,281 by year four. This downward trajectory is the opposite of what you'd expect from a technical degree and suggests graduates may be struggling to advance in their careers or retain technical positions.

The debt picture provides some cushion: at $18,000, graduates owe more than the national median but less than Michigan's typical burden for this program. That translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 based on first-year earnings. However, if year-four earnings better reflect long-term prospects, this program trails competitors like Northwestern Michigan College by nearly $12,000 annually—a gap that compounds significantly over a career.

Given the small cohort tracked here, a single graduate's outcome could skew these numbers substantially. Before enrolling, ask the college directly about job placement rates and whether recent curriculum changes might explain the earnings decline. If these numbers do reflect reality, families should consider whether the lower upfront cost justifies potentially limited career growth in Michigan's engineering technology field.