Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Perry Technical Institute

Perry Technical Institute's electrical maintenance program gets students working quickly at reasonable cost, though the relatively modest earnings might surprise parents given the "technical institute" branding. Graduates earn $45,720 in their first year while carrying $16,602 in debt—a manageable 0.36 ratio that means less than five months of gross income goes toward what they borrowed. That's a solid foundation for a trade career, particularly since half the students here qualify for Pell grants and are building middle-class incomes from day one.

The Washington context matters here: this program sits right at the state median for both earnings and debt among the handful of schools offering this degree. It's neither a standout nor a disappointment—just steady preparation for steady work. Nationally, it performs slightly above average on earnings but keeps debt below the national median, which explains that healthy debt ratio. The challenge is that there's limited room for error if your child needs extra time to complete the program or takes on additional loans.

The biggest caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates means these numbers could shift considerably with the next cohort. For families prioritizing quick entry into skilled trades with minimal debt exposure, this delivers exactly that. Just recognize you're paying for practical training that leads to immediate employment, not the higher earning ceiling that comes with more specialized electrical programs or apprenticeships at larger utilities.