Engineering Technology (Associate's Degree) at Santa Fe Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,321

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$13,834

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

An estimated debt load of $13,834 against first-year earnings near $48,000 creates a manageable financial picture for this technical credential. Based on comparable engineering technology associate's programs nationwide, graduates typically earn enough to pay down their loans within reasonable timeframes—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 sits comfortably below thresholds that typically signal repayment struggles.

What's less certain is how Santa Fe Community College's program specifically positions graduates in New Mexico's job market. The state has six institutions offering this degree, but none report sufficient graduate data for meaningful comparison. Engineering technology graduates generally find steady demand in manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure sectors, though Santa Fe's higher cost of living compared to other New Mexico markets could affect how far those estimated $48,000 salaries stretch.

For families weighing this investment, the core math looks sound—two years of education leading to earnings that align with national norms for the field, paired with debt that shouldn't overwhelm entry-level paychecks. The real question is whether this particular program connects students to employers in New Mexico's specific industrial landscape. Visit the campus, ask about job placement rates and employer partnerships, and talk to recent graduates about their actual starting salaries before committing.

Where Santa Fe Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering Technology associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Santa Fe Community CollegeSanta Fe	$2,145	$48,321*	—	$13,834*	—
Jackson State Community CollegeJackson	$4,516	$61,123*	—	—*	—
Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyOkmulgee	$5,774	$53,143*	$70,007	$11,000*	0.21
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga	$4,550	$52,531*	$59,650	$13,865*	0.26
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City	$5,350	$50,148*	—	$13,834*	0.28
Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo	$4,046	$46,493*	$38,281	$18,000*	0.39
National Median	—	$48,320*	—	$12,917*	0.27

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology 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

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

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

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.

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 Santa Fe Community College, approximately 14% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.