Est. Earnings (1yr)
$48,321
Est. from national median (8 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$13,834
Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Engineering technology programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $48,300, and Morehead State's two-year program likely tracks close to this benchmark. With an estimated debt load of roughly $13,800—slightly above the national median but manageable—graduates would face monthly payments of approximately $150 on a standard repayment plan, consuming about 4% of gross income. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, well within the zone most financial aid experts consider sustainable.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Because Morehead's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report outcomes, we're working entirely from national comparables. Kentucky has seven schools offering engineering technology associate's degrees, but none report earnings data either, leaving no state-specific anchors for comparison. This matters because Kentucky's manufacturing and industrial sectors might pay differently than the national average, and Morehead's location in eastern Kentucky—away from major metros like Louisville or Lexington—could affect job placement and starting wages.

For families weighing this investment, the national data suggests reasonable value: a two-year credential with modest debt leading to solid technical employment. But without actual outcomes from Morehead or similar Kentucky programs, you're betting that this school's graduates will perform like the national median. If your child has strong mechanical aptitude and plans to stay in Kentucky's industrial corridor, the economics likely work. Just recognize you're operating on educated guesswork rather than verified track record.

Where Morehead State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering Technology associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Morehead State UniversityMorehead$9,838$48,321*—$13,834*—
Jackson State Community CollegeJackson$4,516$61,123*——*—
Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyOkmulgee$5,774$53,143*$70,007$11,000*0.21
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga$4,550$52,531*$59,650$13,865*0.26
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City$5,350$50,148*—$13,834*0.28
Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo$4,046$46,493*$38,281$18,000*0.39
National Median—$48,320*—$12,917*0.27
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

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

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/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.

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 Morehead State University, approximately 29% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.