Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College's electrical maintenance program graduates earn just $24,564 in their first year—barely half what the typical Texas graduate in this field makes ($38,908) and among the bottom 10% of programs statewide. This is particularly troubling for a technical field where hands-on training should lead directly to solid-paying jobs. Even when compared nationally, where the median is $45,298, these graduates trail significantly behind their peers.

The $13,164 in debt is at least below both state and national averages, which softens the blow somewhat. But earning under $25,000 means these graduates are likely struggling to make headway on even this modest debt load while covering basic living expenses. For context, other Texas programs in this field see first-year earnings 60% higher, suggesting either weak employer connections or gaps in the training provided here.

The fundamental issue is that this program isn't delivering the income boost you'd expect from a technical credential. Unless there's a clear path to much higher earnings within a year or two (data for later years would help clarify this), families should look at other Texas technical colleges where electrical maintenance graduates start closer to $40,000. That earnings gap is the difference between financial stability and paycheck-to-paycheck living.