Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State's electrical engineering technology program launches graduates into the workforce earning $76,000—about $8,500 above the national median for this degree. The debt load of $26,500 is entirely manageable, translating to just 35 cents owed for every dollar earned in that first year. That's the kind of ratio that allows new graduates to actually build savings rather than just service loans.

The earnings trajectory is modest but stable, reaching $79,000 by year four. While this isn't explosive growth, it's steady progress in a field where starting salaries already clear a meaningful threshold. The program ranks in the 83rd percentile nationally, suggesting Metro State is doing something right in preparing students for skilled technical roles, even with the university's open admission policy. Keep in mind there's only one program offering this degree in Colorado, so the state comparison (60th percentile) is less meaningful here.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. But the fundamentals look sound—a debt burden that's reasonable relative to earnings, and a first-year salary that puts graduates ahead of most peers nationally. For families prioritizing affordability and immediate employability in a technical field, this program delivers measurable outcomes.