Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's electronics repair program sits in an unusual position: it's actually the top earner among Texas programs in this field, yet falls well below the national median. That 60th percentile state ranking translates to $38,908 in first-year earnings—respectable for El Paso's cost of living, but about $6,400 less than the typical graduate nationwide earns.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $26,208, graduates carry nearly twice the national median for this program, though the 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable by federal standards. Over four years, earnings climb 22% to $47,262, which helps offset that initial burden. However, the low Pell grant percentage (just 16%) suggests this program may not serve many students from lower-income backgrounds who would be most debt-sensitive.

For families in the El Paso area, this program offers a clear path to steady employment in a hands-on technical field, particularly given it outperforms other Texas options. But the regional nature of these outcomes matters—graduates likely shouldn't expect to match the $53,000+ earnings their counterparts see in other parts of the country. If your child is committed to staying in West Texas and values a quick entry into the workforce, the investment makes sense. For families considering relocation or comparing to national opportunities in electrical work, the higher debt combined with below-average earnings becomes harder to justify.