Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's architectural engineering technology program graduates enter the workforce near $49,000—hitting the statewide median and ranking in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin's eight programs. That's meaningful regional performance, though it places exactly at the national median, trailing top programs by roughly $16,000. The program's distinctive advantage lies in its cost: graduates carry just $14,188 in debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. Students can realistically pay off this debt within months, not years, making the financial risk remarkably low even as earnings plateau in the low $50,000s by year four.

The modest earnings growth—about 4% over four years—suggests these graduates find stable employment quickly but limited upward mobility. For students planning to stay in northeastern Wisconsin's construction and manufacturing sectors, this represents secure, middle-class employment with minimal financial burden. The program particularly makes sense for students who value quick workforce entry and debt avoidance over maximizing long-term earning potential. Given the manageable debt load, even the relatively flat earnings trajectory doesn't create financial strain, and graduates have flexibility to pursue additional credentials or career changes without being trapped by student loans.