Engineering Technology at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's Engineering Technology program delivers solid starting salaries at $60,808, placing graduates above the state median and slightly ahead of Tennessee Tech's equivalent program. The debt load of $28,327 is notably manageable, ranking in just the 21st percentile nationally—meaning 79% of similar programs saddle students with more debt. For a public university serving a substantial population of middle-income students (31% on Pell grants), this represents an accessible entry point into technical careers.

The concern here is stagnation: earnings haven't budged between year one and year four, staying essentially flat at around $61,000. This suggests graduates may be landing in roles with limited advancement opportunities or hitting salary ceilings quickly in their first positions. In contrast, engineering technology graduates typically see some wage growth as they gain experience and take on more complex projects. Whether this reflects regional job market dynamics in Middle Tennessee or the specific industries hiring from this program isn't clear from the data alone.

For parents, the value proposition depends on expectations. If your child wants stable employment with minimal debt and reasonable starting pay, this program delivers. The 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly five months of gross salary covers the debt—a comfortable position. But if career growth and advancing beyond $61,000 is important, investigate where recent graduates are working and whether those employers offer clear advancement paths.