Engineering Technology at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Associate's Degree
southcentral.kctcs.eduAnalysis
Based on comparable programs nationally, an associate's in Engineering Technology should deliver around $48,300 in first-year earnings against roughly $13,800 in debt—a manageable 0.29 ratio that suggests graduates can handle their payments without strain. This technical credential typically provides practical training that leads directly to employment in manufacturing, quality control, or facilities management, and the numbers reflect that workforce-ready value. Kentucky has seven schools offering this program, though outcome data remains limited across the board, making it harder to distinguish which institutions produce stronger results.
The debt load here aligns closely with national norms for this field, and the earnings estimate places squarely at the national median. That's neither exceptional nor concerning—it's precisely average for what engineering technology programs deliver nationwide. For a two-year degree, a sub-$14,000 debt burden is reasonable, especially when first-year earnings should cover loan payments comfortably. The 32% Pell grant rate indicates this program serves a significant number of lower-income students, for whom a technical credential with direct workforce application can be particularly valuable.
The challenge is that all figures here are estimates rather than tracked outcomes for Southcentral Kentucky specifically. You're essentially betting that this program performs like the typical engineering technology associate's degree nationwide. If your student is mechanically inclined and wants to enter the workforce quickly, the field's fundamentals look sound—but confirm with the school what their actual placement rates and employer partnerships look like before committing.
Where Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,656 | $48,321* | — | $13,834* | — | |
| $4,516 | $61,123* | — | —* | — | |
| $5,774 | $53,143* | $70,007 | $11,000* | 0.21 | |
| $4,550 | $52,531* | $59,650 | $13,865* | 0.26 | |
| $5,350 | $50,148* | — | $13,834* | 0.28 | |
| $4,046 | $46,493* | $38,281 | $18,000* | 0.39 | |
| National Median | — | $48,320* | — | $12,917* | 0.27 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
Robotics Technicians
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Photonics Technicians
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 Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, approximately 32% 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.