Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Southern Technical College

Southern Technical College's electronics engineering program graduates enter the workforce at surprisingly strong wages—$30,091 in the first year, which places them at the 95th percentile nationally for this degree. With just $20,000 in median debt, the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 looks manageable, especially for a program serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body. However, the earnings trajectory tells a troubling story: by year four, median wages actually drop to $26,063, a 13% decline that suggests graduates may be stuck in entry-level positions or facing limited advancement opportunities in their field.

This appears to be the only electronics engineering associate's program in Florida reporting data, which makes state-level comparison impossible but raises questions about local industry demand. The national percentile rankings look impressive on paper, but the backwards earnings growth is a red flag that can't be ignored. In most technical fields, workers gain skills and certifications that increase their value over time—not the reverse.

For families considering this path, the low debt load is genuinely advantageous, but the declining earnings pattern suggests you should investigate why graduates aren't advancing. Is this program preparing students for dead-end technician roles rather than engineering positions? Does it lack industry connections for job placement? Before enrolling, talk to recent alumni about their career progression and whether they're working in true engineering roles or lower-paid technical support positions.