Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Oakton College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,804

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,399

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Based on national peer programs, this electrical engineering technology certificate appears financially solid, with estimated first-year earnings around $38,800 against projected debt of just $9,400—a manageable 0.24 ratio. What's striking is how this estimate surpasses Illinois's typical outcomes for the field: the state median sits at $28,700, suggesting considerable variation in how different schools prepare technicians or connect them with employers. Without actual graduate outcomes from Oakton itself, you're relying on national patterns that may or may not reflect this specific program's placement success in the Chicago metro market.

The debt figure looks reasonable for a certificate program, though it's worth noting that similar credentials nationally carry about $12,000 in median debt, so Oakton's estimate suggests slightly lower borrowing. The real question is whether this program delivers on the higher national earning pattern or falls closer to the Illinois average—a difference of $10,000 annually that meaningfully changes the payback timeline and overall value.

If your child can complete this certificate with debt at or below the estimate, and if Oakton's industry connections lead to technician jobs paying closer to the national median than the state one, this becomes a practical investment. But given the wide gap between state and national outcomes, visiting the program to understand their employer partnerships and graduate placement specifics matters more than usual here.

Where Oakton College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Oakton CollegeDes Plaines	$3,985	$38,804*	—	$9,399*	—
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career CollegeRockford	$16,699	$28,732*	—	$13,583*	0.47
National Median	—	$38,804*	—	$11,976*	0.31

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians 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

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

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

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

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.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:

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 Oakton College, approximately 16% 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 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.