Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Stark State College

This program shows an unusual pattern that warrants attention: first-year earnings based on comparable programs nationally suggest around $43,000, yet actual reported earnings for Stark State graduates four years later drop to $39,187. Typically, earnings should rise with experience, not decline. This backward trajectory could signal that graduates are struggling to advance in their roles, switching to lower-paying jobs, or that the initial estimate doesn't reflect what Stark State's specific program delivers.

The $12,747 in debt is manageable at 30% of estimated first-year earnings, and it's below both the state median ($15,000) and national median ($17,246) for these programs. Still, the real concern isn't the debt—it's whether this program leads to sustainable career growth. Other Ohio schools demonstrate the range of outcomes possible: Cincinnati State's graduates earn $56,504, while Lorain County's earn just $23,598. Stark State appears to land somewhere in the middle, but without actual first-year data for this specific program, it's hard to know if it's closer to the stronger or weaker performers.

Before committing, your child should investigate what's driving that four-year earnings dip. Talk to recent graduates about their career paths, and ask the school directly about job placement and whether alumni are staying in technical roles or pivoting elsewhere. The debt won't sink them, but stagnant or declining earnings could.