Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Western Carolina University

Western Carolina's engineering technology graduates start at $67,003—placing them squarely at the national median but ahead of 60% of North Carolina programs. That state comparison matters more than the national one: with only four schools in NC offering this bachelor's degree, this program holds its own against UNC Charlotte (which matches at $66,421) while significantly outpacing NC A&T's $47,422. The debt burden of $23,154 is reasonable, creating a 0.35 ratio that means graduates earn roughly three times what they owe in their first year.

The concerning piece here is the debt percentile—86th nationally means this program carries more debt than most peers, despite the absolute number seeming manageable. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these figures could swing considerably year to year. A few outliers in either direction can dramatically shift the numbers.

For North Carolina families, this program offers solid regional positioning at a highly accessible institution (87% admission rate). The first-year earnings support the debt load comfortably, and graduates enter the workforce with practical skills that translate directly to employment. Just understand you're making this decision on limited data—ask the department about job placement rates and whether recent cohorts have maintained similar outcomes.