Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Youngstown State University

Based on comparable mechanical engineering technology programs in Ohio, this associate degree comes with higher debt than typical—$22,750 versus a state median of $15,387. First-year earnings estimates hover around $48,300, which puts the debt load at roughly 47% of first-year income. That's manageable but not generous, especially when community college alternatives across Ohio report stronger outcomes at lower cost.

The comparison to other Ohio programs is revealing. Owens Community College graduates earn an estimated $61,000 their first year, while University of Akron tracks at $52,000—both substantially higher than the $48,300 estimate here. Even more concerning, Youngstown's debt burden sits in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs nationwide leave students with less debt. For a credential that should be relatively affordable, borrowing nearly $23,000 at a regional university raises questions about value when community colleges offer the same pathway.

The practical issue: your child would need to dedicate about half their first year's salary to debt, assuming standard repayment terms. For families already stretching financially (a third of Youngstown students receive Pell grants), this debt-to-earnings picture could feel tight. Before committing, get concrete data from Youngstown's career services about actual job placement and starting salaries for recent graduates—the estimates here, drawn from peer programs, don't tell you whether this specific program delivers competitive outcomes.