Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at LeTourneau University

LeTourneau's mechanical engineering technology program lands right at the state median for first-year earnings at $52,625, putting it behind University of Houston and UNT but ahead of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi among Texas programs with reported outcomes. What's striking is the 56% earnings jump by year four to $82,000—among the strongest growth trajectories you'll find in this field. The estimated debt of $27,125 from comparable programs at similar institutions creates a manageable 0.52 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates would typically need about half their annual salary to cover their loans.

The catch is performing well below the national median of $62,500 initially, landing at just the 16th percentile nationally while sitting squarely middle-of-the-pack in Texas at the 60th percentile. This suggests Texas engineering technology salaries run lower than many other states, though the strong mid-career growth helps close that gap. For a selective Christian engineering school (41% admission rate, 1262 SAT average), these outcomes suggest the program prepares students well for career progression, even if starting salaries lag the national field.

If your child thrives in LeTourneau's faith-integrated environment and plans to work in Texas, the debt load appears reasonable given the earnings trajectory. However, if maximizing early earnings matters—particularly for students carrying their own debt—University of Houston's nearly $9,000 higher starting salary deserves serious consideration.