Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Keene State College

Keene State's Engineering Technology program faces a significant challenge: while it ranks at the 60th percentile among New Hampshire programs, graduates earn just $46,715 in their first year—placing them in the bottom 5% nationally for this degree. For context, the national median for engineering technology graduates is $66,626, meaning Keene State students start nearly $20,000 behind their peers at other schools. The $27,000 in typical debt is roughly average, but when paired with below-market earnings, the 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio becomes harder to justify compared to stronger programs in this field.

The 19% earnings growth to $55,727 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates still trail the national median significantly. For families considering this program, the key question is whether the regional focus and smaller class environment offset the earnings disadvantage. If your child is set on engineering technology and prefers staying in New Hampshire, this may be the practical choice—but if they're willing to look beyond state borders, other programs deliver substantially better financial outcomes for similar debt levels. The admit rate of 89% suggests accessibility, but that openness doesn't translate to competitive earning power in the broader job market.