Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's mechanical engineering technology program delivers exactly what anxious parents want to see: graduates earning solid salaries while carrying manageable debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, students typically borrow less than a third of their first-year salary—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold that signals financial strain. The $19,187 median debt sits far below the national program average of $27,000, placing it in the 95th percentile for low debt nationally.

The earnings picture is straightforward and positive. Starting at $62,503 and climbing to $70,569 by year four represents steady 13% growth, suggesting graduates build valuable experience that employers reward. While this program ranks at the median nationally, it performs better within Illinois, reaching the 60th percentile among state programs. Since it's the only bachelor's-level mechanical engineering technology program tracked in Illinois, direct in-state comparisons aren't available, but this program clearly succeeds at its core mission: preparing students for immediate employment without burdening them with debt.

For families concerned about return on investment, this combination of below-average borrowing and average-to-above-average earnings creates a straightforward path to financial stability. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates confirms these aren't statistical flukes—this is what typical outcomes look like for students who complete this program.