Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

This is an unusual case where Michigan's flagship university appears to funnel a small cohort into engineering technology rather than traditional engineering. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $67,400 and debt near $26,200—a manageable 0.39 ratio that would allow repayment in roughly three years. But here's the catch: other Michigan programs in this field typically produce stronger outcomes, with the state median at $75,400, and Wayne State's graduates earning over $82,500. For a school with an 18% admission rate and 1473 average SAT, these estimated figures suggest students might be better served by Michigan's traditional engineering degrees rather than the technology track.

The debt estimate looks reasonable compared to the national median of $27,600, but the earnings gap is harder to ignore. Similar programs across Michigan consistently outperform the national benchmark, yet this program's estimated outcomes sit $8,000 below the state median. That pattern—combined with suppressed data suggesting very few students complete this specific degree at Ann Arbor—raises questions about whether this niche program receives the same resources and employer connections as the university's flagship engineering offerings. If your student gained admission to Michigan, they likely qualify for programs with clearer pathways to higher earnings in the state's robust engineering economy.