Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians at Lee College

The fourth-year earnings jump to $96,416 tells you the real story here—this is a program that rewards experience in a high-demand field. While first-year estimates based on comparable Texas programs suggest starting around $53,907, the near-doubling of income within four years reflects how valuable these electromechanical skills become once technicians prove themselves in industrial settings like Baytown's petrochemical corridor. At an estimated $12,738 in debt (below even the state median for these programs), the investment looks manageable from the start, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 that could realistically be paid off within months of graduation.

The caveat is that these estimates come from peer programs across Texas rather than Lee College's specific outcomes, so there's inherent uncertainty in the starting salary figure. However, the fourth-year number is actual data from Lee graduates, and it exceeds what most comparable programs nationally achieve. That suggests students who complete this program and stay in the field are reaching strong earnings—the question is whether the entry point matches expectations. Given that 32% of Lee students receive Pell grants, the relatively low debt burden matters significantly for families without financial cushion.

If your child has mechanical aptitude and can handle the first year or two at middle-income wages, the trajectory here is compelling. Just recognize you're betting on estimated entry numbers while the later payoff is documented.