Engineering Technology at Texas State University

Texas State's Engineering Technology program sits right in the middle of the pack for Texas—literally at the 60th percentile statewide—but lags behind the national median by about $7,500 in first-year earnings. That $52,958 starting salary is workable, especially with just $24,000 in debt, giving you a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. The 22% earnings bump to $64,513 by year four suggests solid career progression, though you're still not quite reaching what typical engineering tech grads earn nationally.

The real question is whether this represents good value compared to Texas's other engineering technology programs. With only nine schools offering this degree statewide, your options are limited, and Texas State performs better than half of them despite its relatively accessible admissions. The moderate debt load keeps this practical—you're not betting the farm on eventual catch-up earnings.

For a student who needs an accessible entry point into engineering and plans to work in Texas, this program offers a reasonable path. But if your child is competitive for more selective engineering technology programs (which typically show stronger earnings), it's worth exploring those alternatives. The fundamentals work here: manageable debt, steady salary growth, and decent in-state standing. Just understand you're choosing reliability over standout earnings potential.