Est. Earnings (1yr)
$58,261
Est. from national median (57 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,000
Est. from national median (28 programs)

Analysis

Technical programs in Washington State show considerable variation in outcomes, and without program-specific data from North Seattle College, peer institutions offer the most relevant guidance. Similar electromechanical programs nationally point to first-year earnings around $58,000—roughly in line with Washington's median of $59,448—while debt loads from comparable community college programs suggest about $12,000. That 0.21 debt ratio looks manageable on paper, but notice how Spokane Community College's graduates earn $66,000 while Clark College's make $52,600, demonstrating that location, industry connections, and curriculum matter significantly in this field.

Seattle's industrial base and proximity to aerospace, maritime, and manufacturing employers should theoretically position graduates well, but without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're betting on the school's local network and industry relationships. The estimated $58,000 starting salary would make that $12,000 debt serviceable—roughly equivalent to one-fifth of first-year earnings—but these figures represent what similar programs produce nationally, not what North Seattle College's students actually achieve.

Before committing, identify which local employers hire from this program and what percentage of graduates land jobs in their field within six months. The technical skills are valuable, but outcomes in electromechanical programs depend heavily on whether the school has established pipelines into Seattle's industrial sector or if graduates face tougher competition.

Where North Seattle College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Washington (9 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
North Seattle CollegeSeattle$5,058$58,261*—$12,000*—
Spokane Community CollegeSpokane$4,057$66,293*——*—
Clark CollegeVancouver$4,632$52,604*——*—
National Median—$58,261*—$13,084*0.22
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians graduates

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

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Medical Equipment Repairers

Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

$62,630/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.

Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other

All precision instrument and equipment repairers not listed separately.

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 North Seattle College, approximately 14% 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 57 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.