Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians at New England Institute of Technology

New England Institute of Technology's environmental control tech program launches graduates into solid earning territory—$53,135 in year one, which beats 95% of similar programs nationally and sits $7,000 above the national median. That's meaningful income for an associate degree, though context here matters: this is the only program of its kind in Rhode Island, so the state percentile ranking (60th) simply reflects how it compares to itself. The relatively modest debt load of $18,414 creates a favorable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn roughly three dollars for every dollar borrowed.

The caveat parents need to understand: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers less reliable predictors of future outcomes. Small programs can show inflated or deflated results simply due to where a handful of graduates landed jobs. The earnings growth of just 4% over four years suggests most of the earning power comes immediately, which can be either reassuring (instant return) or limiting (less upward trajectory), depending on your child's career ambitions.

For families seeking a technical credential with quick workforce entry and manageable debt, this program delivers on paper. Just recognize you're looking at a narrow data slice from a specialized program with limited comparison points—reasonable to consider, but worth deeper research into actual job placement and employer connections.