Location: Fort Wayne, IN•In-State Tuition: $9,254•Out-of-State Tuition: $22,220•Admission Rate: 86%•Avg SAT: 1078
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$74,981
Est. from IN median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,220
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Indiana suggest first-year earnings around $75,000 for electrical engineering technology graduates—figures that position this field well above many technical degrees. With estimated debt of $26,220, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their starting salary. That's manageable territory for a technical bachelor's degree.

What's encouraging here is the stability: four-year earnings of $74,582 track closely with the first-year estimate, suggesting this field offers steady employment rather than dramatic growth or decline. Peer programs at Purdue Northwest and the main campus report similar outcomes in the $75,000 range, lending credibility to these projections for Fort Wayne's program. The estimated debt also falls below the national median of $27,558 for this credential.

The practical reality is that these estimates come from a small number of comparable Indiana programs, not Fort Wayne graduates specifically, so individual outcomes will vary based on factors like internship quality and job market timing. But the fundamentals—solid starting pay, reasonable debt load, and alignment with state and national benchmarks—suggest this program positions students for financial stability in a technical field where employment tends to be consistent. For families focused on return on investment in engineering technology, this estimated profile makes a strong case.

Where Purdue University Fort Wayne Stands

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

Purdue University Fort Wayne (estimated ±10%)Other electrical engineering technologies/technicians programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Purdue University Fort Wayne—$74,582—
Wayne State University$82,524$94,247+14%
California State University-Chico$77,965$86,447+11%
Indiana University-Indianapolis$70,887$77,416+9%
Purdue University-Main Campus$74,981$76,358+2%

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne$9,254$74,981*$74,582$26,220*—
Purdue University NorthwestHammond$8,419$75,675*—$25,625*0.34
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette$9,992$74,981*$76,358$23,250*0.31
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis$10,449$70,887*$77,416—*—
National Median—$67,395*—$27,558*0.41
* 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne, approximately 23% 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 median of 3 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.