Engineering Technology (Associate's Degree) at Lake Superior State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,321

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$13,834

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Lake Superior State's Engineering Technology associate's program appears positioned right in the middle of what similar programs nationally deliver—around $48,000 in first-year earnings based on peer institutions. That's solid ground for a two-year technical degree, though not exceptional compared to Michigan's stronger programs like Northwestern Michigan College, where graduates start above $50,000.

The estimated debt load of roughly $14,000 sits just below the state median and translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. For context, engineering technology programs across Michigan typically saddle graduates with closer to $16,000 in debt, so this represents a modest advantage. Similar programs nationally suggest students should be able to handle these loans on typical starting salaries, with monthly payments consuming a reasonable portion of early-career income.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt estimated from peer programs rather than actual Lake Superior State outcomes, parents are investing based on what happens at comparable schools, not what this specific program delivers. The national benchmarks suggest engineering technology degrees generally work out financially, but without program-specific data, you're betting that Lake Superior State's execution matches the national norm. If your child is committed to hands-on technical work and staying in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this could work—just recognize you're operating with less visibility than you'd have with larger programs that report actual outcomes.

Where Lake Superior State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Engineering Technology associates's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (11 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lake Superior State UniversitySault Ste Marie	$14,266	$48,321*	—	$13,834*	—
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City	$5,350	$50,148*	—	$13,834*	0.28
Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo	$4,046	$46,493*	$38,281	$18,000*	0.39
National Median	—	$48,320*	—	$12,917*	0.27

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology 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

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

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

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.

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 Lake Superior State University, approximately 29% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.