Engineering Technology (Associate's Degree) at Walla Walla Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated

$48,321

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Est. Median DebtEstimated

$13,834

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

Based on comparable Engineering Technology associate's programs nationwide, Walla Walla Community College's offering appears financially sensible. The estimated $13,834 in debt—just slightly above the national median—would consume roughly three months of typical first-year earnings around $48,000. That's a manageable burden for a technical credential designed to get graduates working quickly.

What makes this reasonable is the program's positioning. Engineering Technology programs nationwide cluster tightly around $48,000 in first-year earnings, with top performers reaching only about $53,000. This suggests the field offers consistent entry-level compensation regardless of where you study. For a two-year degree that doesn't require relocating from Eastern Washington, those economics work in your favor—you're likely getting similar outcomes to what you'd find at other community colleges without the upheaval.

The caveat is that Walla Walla's actual graduate outcomes remain unknown due to small cohort sizes. If your child is serious about engineering technology and prefers staying local, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture aligns with what successful peer programs deliver. Just recognize you're making this decision without seeing this specific school's track record—talk to current students and local employers who hire these graduates to fill in what the federal data can't tell you.

Where Walla Walla Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering Technology associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla Walla	$6,513	$48,321*	—	$13,834*	—
Jackson State Community CollegeJackson	$4,516	$61,123*	—	—*	—
Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyOkmulgee	$5,774	$53,143*	$70,007	$11,000*	0.21
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga	$4,550	$52,531*	$59,650	$13,865*	0.26
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City	$5,350	$50,148*	—	$13,834*	0.28
Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo	$4,046	$46,493*	$38,281	$18,000*	0.39
National Median	—	$48,320*	—	$12,917*	0.27

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology 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

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

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

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.

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 Walla Walla Community College, approximately 29% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.