Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Minnesota State College Southeast
Associate's Degree
southeastmn.eduAnalysis
Based on comparable electrical engineering technology programs nationally, this two-year degree appears positioned to deliver solid value. The estimated $12,063 in debt falls notably below both the national median ($14,710) and the state median ($16,246) for these programs, while projected first-year earnings of $54,852 align with national norms and come close to the $56,073 that Minnesota programs typically produce.
That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 suggests graduates would owe roughly what they'd earn in less than three months—a manageable burden for entering a skilled trade. Hennepin Technical College, the only Minnesota program with reported outcomes, shows graduates earning around $56,000, which tracks with what similar programs across the state deliver. The electrical technician field in Minnesota's manufacturing and energy sectors has historically supported stable employment for associate degree holders.
The caveat: these figures are derived from peer programs since this specific campus doesn't report graduate outcomes, likely due to small cohort sizes. That means your actual experience could vary based on factors like local industry connections and internship quality. But the fundamentals—lower-than-average debt for a technical credential in a field with consistent demand—suggest reasonable odds of a worthwhile investment, especially if your child is drawn to hands-on electrical work rather than four-year engineering theory.
Where Minnesota State College Southeast Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,820 | $54,852* | — | $12,063* | — | |
| $5,881 | $56,073* | $62,535 | $16,246* | 0.29 | |
| National Median | — | $54,852* | — | $14,710* | 0.27 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
Robotics Technicians
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Calibration Technologists and Technicians
Sound Engineering Technicians
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Photonics Technicians
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
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 Minnesota State College Southeast, approximately 22% 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 49 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.