Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Kirtland Community College

Based on comparable programs nationally, an electrical engineering technology associate's degree typically produces first-year earnings around $54,850—a respectable start for a two-year credential. For a program at a small community college serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, the estimated debt of roughly $12,000 is notably lower than the national median of $14,700 for this field. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates would owe less than three months of their first-year salary.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates derived from peer programs—neither the earnings nor debt figures reflect actual outcomes from Kirtland's specific cohort. With 18 schools offering this program in Michigan but none reporting verifiable data, it's impossible to know how this rural northern Michigan location affects job placement or starting wages compared to programs near Detroit or Grand Rapids. The technical skills should transfer, but local employment opportunities in industrial automation, power systems, and manufacturing may differ significantly from the national picture.

The estimated numbers suggest a manageable investment if the job market cooperates. Before committing, your child should investigate where recent graduates actually work—whether they're finding positions locally or need to relocate, and whether those employers value this specific credential. The debt looks reasonable, but only if the earnings materialize.