Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Spartan College's mechanical engineering technology certificate offers a straightforward path into technical work, with graduates earning $42,386 in their first year and climbing to $45,055 by year four. That modest 6% earnings growth is steady if unspectacular, but the real advantage here is the debt picture: at $18,500, you're borrowing less than half your first-year salary, which means manageable payments that won't derail your financial plans. Nationally, this program sits at the 25th percentile for debt—meaning 75% of similar programs leave graduates with more to repay.

Within Oklahoma's limited field of mechanical engineering technology programs (just four statewide), this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings. The $42,386 starting salary matches both state and national medians exactly, suggesting you're getting typical market outcomes at below-typical debt levels. For a certificate program designed to get you working quickly rather than pursuing advanced technical roles, that's a reasonable trade-off.

The fundamentals work here: low debt, immediate employment prospects, and earnings that cover living expenses in Tulsa's affordable market. If your child wants hands-on technical training without committing to a four-year degree, this program delivers employability without burying them in loans. Just understand the ceiling—this isn't a pathway to engineering salaries, but rather to technician roles where growth comes through experience and certifications rather than credential advancement.