Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at McHenry County College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$50,675

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$7,625

Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

With estimated debt under $8,000 and first-year earnings near $51,000, this certificate appears positioned to deliver quick returns—based on what peer programs nationally have produced. That 0.15 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates from similar electromechanical programs typically earn their investment back within months, not years.

The challenge is that among Illinois's 17 schools offering this credential, none have published graduate outcomes, making it impossible to know how McHenry County College specifically performs against local competition. The national figures we're relying on come from just 20 programs with reported earnings and 7 with debt data—a thin sample that masks considerable variation. Nationally, top-performing programs in this field produce first-year earnings above $63,000, while others likely fall well short of the $50,000 median.

For a short-term credential in skilled trades, the estimated numbers look promising on paper. But before committing, connect with the college's career services to learn where recent graduates actually landed jobs and at what pay. In technical fields like this, employer partnerships and equipment quality matter enormously—factors the Department of Education data can't capture, especially when outcomes remain suppressed due to small cohort sizes.

Where McHenry County College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
McHenry County CollegeCrystal Lake	$4,012	$50,675*	—	$7,625*	—
Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville	$5,639	$77,150*	—	$11,107*	0.14
Perry Technical InstituteYakima	—	$75,843*	$99,887	$16,830*	0.22
Texas State Technical CollegeWaco	$7,192	$68,052*	$64,361	—*	—
Great Basin CollegeElko	$3,855	$67,063*	—	—*	—
Ranken Technical CollegeSaint Louis	$17,490	$64,296*	$68,666	$19,734*	0.31
National Median	—	$50,674*	—	$9,929*	0.20

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians graduates

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

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Medical Equipment Repairers

Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

$62,630/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.

Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other

All precision instrument and equipment repairers not listed separately.

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 McHenry County College, approximately 12% 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 20 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.