Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

Starting at under $29,000 annually, this electrical engineering technology certificate puts graduates $10,000 below the national median for the program. That gap matters when you're beginning a technical career that should offer stable middle-class wages. The 47% debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic—graduates could theoretically pay off the $13,583 in debt within a year or two on an aggressive repayment plan—but the low starting salary limits how quickly that's realistic for someone living independently.

Here's the puzzling part: while this program ranks in just the 23rd percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among Illinois programs, essentially matching the state median. That suggests Illinois electrical technology programs generally underperform compared to other states, rather than this being a uniquely weak option locally. With 72% of students receiving Pell grants, the institution serves a population for whom even modest debt can be challenging.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means one or two outliers could skew these numbers significantly. If you're considering this program, insist on speaking with recent graduates about their actual job placements and starting salaries. The relatively low debt is a plus, but you want confidence that $29,000 represents a realistic floor, not an optimistic ceiling for someone entering this technical field.