Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Lake Superior State University

Similar programs across the country suggest first-year earnings around $54,852 with roughly $12,000 in debt for an electrical engineering technology associate's degree—a ratio that makes this a relatively affordable technical credential. The challenge is that Lake Superior State's actual graduate outcomes remain suppressed due to small class sizes, so these national benchmarks may not reflect what's happening in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where the local job market and available industries differ significantly from the national average.

The estimated debt load sits below the national median for this program, which is promising for a two-year degree. Electrical engineering technicians typically find work in manufacturing, utilities, and telecommunications—fields where Michigan has established infrastructure, though parents should investigate whether opportunities exist within a reasonable distance of Sault Ste Marie. The estimated 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment under normal circumstances, but that assumes your child will match the national earning pattern rather than face the limited employment options that can characterize more remote regions.

Without actual graduate data from this specific program, you're essentially betting that Lake Superior State's outcomes mirror those of programs nationally. That's not an unreasonable assumption for technical credentials with standardized skill requirements, but it does mean accepting more uncertainty than you'd have with a program that has published results. If your child has strong reasons to attend this particular school and you've confirmed local employment pathways, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value—just recognize you're working with broader industry patterns rather than this institution's track record.