Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Southern Technical College

The $18,600 debt burden for this associate's degree appears manageable at first glance—similar programs nationally carry a 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, suggesting graduates can reasonably service their loans. But here's the puzzle: while comparable programs nationwide project first-year earnings around $45,000, this program's actual four-year earnings data shows graduates making just $33,000. That's a significant gap that needs explaining.

One possibility is that graduates initially work in related but lower-paid positions before moving into better-compensated electrical maintenance roles. Another is that the local Orlando market differs from national patterns. Or graduates may be taking time to complete additional certifications. Whatever the reason, that $33,000 figure at year four—well below what similar programs produce—should prompt specific questions about career trajectories and whether graduates are actually entering the electrical maintenance field. With 82% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here need this investment to translate quickly into stable income.

Before committing, ask the school for job placement specifics: What percentage of graduates are working as electrical maintenance technicians versus other roles? What explains the earnings trajectory? The debt level itself isn't alarming for a technical field, but you need confidence that graduates are actually launching careers that justify that investment, not struggling years after completion.