Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at State Technical College of Missouri

State Tech's electrical and power transmission program offers strong value despite a puzzling state ranking. Graduates start at $54,080 and climb to nearly $74,000 by year four—a robust 36% increase that outpaces most associate degree programs. With just $12,000 in debt, students are well-positioned to handle their loans from day one. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 is excellent for any technical program.

Here's what's curious: this program ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally but only the 40th percentile within Missouri. That's not a red flag—it simply reflects how strong Missouri's electrical training programs are overall. The state median is $58,128, and the top program (Ozarks Technical) starts graduates at $62,000. State Tech's advantage emerges over time: that four-year mark of $74,000 suggests graduates gain valuable experience and credentials that pay off.

For families weighing options, the moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable. The key question is whether starting $4,000-$8,000 below other Missouri programs matters when you're carrying minimal debt and seeing steady wage growth. If your child is willing to invest in skill development during those first few years, this program delivers strong financial returns without the debt burden that could slow them down.