Location: Warrensburg, MO•In-State Tuition: $9,739•Out-of-State Tuition: $18,064•Admission Rate: 69%•Avg SAT: 1090
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$67,395
Est. from national median (46 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,220
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 suggests this engineering technology degree could pencil out financially, but you're working with limited visibility here. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from peer institutions rather than this specific program's outcomes, you're essentially betting that UCM's electrical engineering technology track performs like the national median—$67,395 in first-year earnings against $26,220 in debt. That's a reasonable framework for a technical bachelor's degree, but the unusual dip to $62,284 by year four (one of only two actual data points available) raises questions about whether these graduates are finding the career progression typical of engineering roles.

Nationally, this field spans a wide range—the top quarter of programs see graduates earning over $74,500, while others fall well below that mark. Engineering technology degrees typically lead to hands-on technical roles rather than design engineering positions, and salary trajectories can vary significantly based on industry placement and regional demand. The year-four earnings drop could reflect job market challenges specific to this program or region, or it might be a statistical artifact of who responds to surveys.

Given the data gaps, treat this as a hypothesis rather than a guarantee. If your child is committed to this technical path, the estimated debt load is manageable if earnings materialize as projected. But confirm what local employers actually hire UCM grads for, and verify whether recent alumni are landing the $60K+ roles that would make this investment work.

Where University of Central Missouri Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all electrical engineering technologies/technicians bachelors's programs nationally

University of Central Missouri (estimated ±10%)Other electrical engineering technologies/technicians programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Central Missouri—$62,284—
Wayne State University$82,524$94,247+14%
California State University-Chico$77,965$86,447+11%
University of Maine$73,692$85,676+16%
University of Houston$74,835$84,300+13%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$9,739$67,395*$62,284$26,220*—
University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock$8,280$87,606*—$32,109*0.37
Excelsior UniversityAlbany—$83,479*—$24,073*0.29
Wayne State UniversityDetroit$14,297$82,524*$94,247$33,351*0.40
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater$10,234$78,417*—$26,220*0.33
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$78,185*$76,028$27,000*0.35
National Median—$67,395*—$27,558*0.41
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with electrical engineering technologies/technicians graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

$65,380/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

$65,040/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

$56,600/yrJobs growth:

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Disc Jockeys, Except Radio

Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies).

Jobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Central Missouri, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 46 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.