Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at University of Hartford

The $27,000 debt load here sits right at both the state and national median for electrical engineering technology programs, but the earnings picture raises questions. Comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $67,400, yet University of Hartford reports actual fourth-year earnings of just $59,900—roughly $7,500 lower than what peer programs typically produce in year one. This backward trajectory is unusual and worth understanding before committing.

With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, graduates could theoretically manage repayment, but that assumes the estimated first-year figure holds true. The actual fourth-year data suggests a slower earnings ramp than typical engineering technology programs deliver. Whether this reflects Hartford's specific curriculum focus, the types of employers their graduates access in Connecticut's engineering sector, or simply variation in graduate career paths isn't clear from the numbers alone.

The practical reality: you're looking at median debt with below-average earnings growth based on the only concrete outcome Hartford has published. Before choosing this program, directly ask the school why their fourth-year graduates earn less than what comparable programs produce in year one, and request placement data showing where graduates actually work and at what salaries. The 83% admission rate and modest SAT averages suggest this isn't a highly selective program, so the onus is on Hartford to demonstrate their specific value in preparing engineering technicians for Connecticut's job market.