Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Siena Heights University

In Michigan, where engineering technology programs typically produce first-year earnings around $75,000, peer programs nationally suggest this degree would launch graduates near $67,400—roughly $8,000 below what most Michigan residents can expect from similar credentials. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $27,000 in student debt, though the 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio itself remains manageable by conventional standards.

The challenge here is twofold. First, comparable programs at Wayne State and Ferris State—both Michigan schools with reported outcomes—show significantly stronger earnings, with Wayne State graduates earning $82,500 in their first year. Second, while electrical engineering technology degrees generally lead to solid middle-class careers, Siena Heights lacks the reported track record that would let you evaluate whether their specific program delivers comparable value. The small graduate sample that triggered these estimates could reflect a young program still building industry connections, or simply low enrollment.

For a family weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable but not exceptional returns compared to state alternatives. If Siena Heights offers compelling reasons—location, class size, scholarship support that reduces that $27,000 considerably—the fundamentals don't rule it out. But without actual outcomes to confirm graduates land in Michigan's stronger engineering technology job market, you're making a bet on potential rather than proven results.