Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Orion Technical College

The biggest concern here isn't the numbers themselves—it's that we're working with fewer than 30 graduates, making these figures unreliable for judging this program. That said, what data exists suggests Orion Technical College underperforms Iowa's community college alternatives by a meaningful margin. Graduates earn around $51,000 initially, about $9,000 less than the state median and roughly $17,000 behind top-performing programs like Indian Hills Community College.

The debt load of $25,351 sits above both state and national medians, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 remains manageable—graduates would dedicate about half a year's salary to repaying loans under a standard plan. Flat earnings between years one and four suggest limited advancement opportunities, though this pattern could simply reflect the small sample capturing different types of employers or roles rather than a genuine ceiling.

For a technical credential where hands-on training and employer connections matter enormously, you'd want confidence that the specific program delivers results. With limited graduate data and below-median outcomes compared to established Iowa community colleges that cost less and produce stronger earnings, you'd be justified in questioning why not start with Kirkwood or Indian Hills instead. Those programs have track records; this one needs to prove itself first.