Analysis
York Technical College's Engineering Technology associate's program appears positioned in solid territory based on what peer programs nationally suggest. With estimated first-year earnings around $48,300 and projected debt near $13,800, graduates would face a debt burden equal to less than three months of their starting salary—a manageable ratio that suggests reasonable financial footing early in their careers.
The national data for similar programs provides useful context here: across 187 schools offering this credential, the typical graduate earns virtually the same amount York Tech students can expect, with top-performing programs pushing earnings only about $4,000 higher. This suggests Engineering Technology associate's degrees deliver fairly consistent outcomes regardless of where you earn them, which reduces some of the uncertainty around York Tech's estimated figures. The technical skills are portable, and employers in manufacturing, utilities, and engineering services typically hire based on competency rather than institutional prestige at this credential level.
For families weighing this investment, the math works if your student is genuinely interested in hands-on engineering work—troubleshooting systems, supporting engineers, working in production environments. The debt burden is low enough that even slightly lower actual earnings wouldn't drastically change the value proposition. Just recognize you're making this decision with estimated rather than school-specific data, so talking directly with York Tech's career services about actual graduate placement rates and local employer partnerships would add crucial information these numbers can't provide.
Where York Technical 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
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,512 | $48,321* | — | $13,834* | — | |
| $4,516 | $61,123* | — | —* | — | |
| $5,774 | $53,143* | $70,007 | $11,000* | 0.21 | |
| $4,550 | $52,531* | $59,650 | $13,865* | 0.26 | |
| $5,350 | $50,148* | — | $13,834* | 0.28 | |
| $4,046 | $46,493* | $38,281 | $18,000* | 0.39 | |
| National Median | — | $48,320* | — | $12,917* | 0.27 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
Robotics Technicians
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
Photonics Technicians
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 York Technical College, approximately 32% 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.