Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Nashville State Community College

Nashville State graduates in this electrical engineering technology program earn $52,424 in their first year—solidly above Tennessee's median of $46,189 for similar programs, though modestly below the national benchmark of $54,852. That middle-of-the-pack national standing (44th percentile) matters less than the program's strength within the state, where it outperforms most peer schools, including Northeast State's $39,954.

The estimated debt picture looks manageable. Based on typical borrowing patterns at Nashville State (around $12,000), graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23—meaning debt represents less than three months of first-year income. That's a healthy margin by community college standards, where technical programs often produce immediate workforce entry at decent wages. The caution here is that this debt figure comes from institution-wide patterns, not program-specific data, so actual borrowing for this cohort could vary.

For parents weighing this investment, the value proposition comes down to immediate employability at a solid Tennessee wage versus the modest national shortfall. If your child plans to work in the Nashville area or elsewhere in Tennessee, this program delivers competitive earnings with limited debt exposure. The risk is minimal compared to higher-cost options, though students targeting the highest-paying markets nationally might find better outcomes at top-quartile programs.