College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Engineering Technologies

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Engineering Technologies.

Entry Level Salary
$42,000
Median Salary
$94,391
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
31.1%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,775,640
Entry (Early)
$42,000
Median (Prime)
$94,391
High (Prime)
$92,291

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-77k
+360k
+343k
$25k / yr
-167k
+270k
+253k
$50k / yr
-257k
+180k
+163k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
26
$25k / yr
Never
30
30
$50k / yr
Never
36
37

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-153%
248%
233%
$50k / yr
-118%
83%
75%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate24.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Software developers

6.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$71,973
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$114,538|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%

Management occupations

4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$93,713
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$125,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Computer occupations, all other

3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,094|$108,970
openings
31,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.2%

Engineers, All Other

3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$65,279
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A

Computer and information systems managers

2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$82,592
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$140,000|$171,200
openings
55,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.2%

Industrial engineers, including health and safety

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$78,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$87,789|$101,490
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.6%

Computer support specialists

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$61,550
openings
50,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.7%

Mechanical engineers

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$92,291|$102,320
openings
18,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.1%

Construction managers

1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,000|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%

Elementary and middle school teachers

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
construction engineering technologies.Associate's Degree6$48,670 - $93,701
construction engineering technologies.Bachelor's Degree41$73,207 - $125,179
construction engineering technologies.Master's Degree3$85,371 - $102,552
drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians.Undergrad Certificate20$41,040 - $60,988
drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians.Associate's Degree72$38,059 - $75,599
drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians.Bachelor's Degree9$48,363 - $81,431
engineering technologies/technicians, other.Associate's Degree5$34,067 - $81,023
engineering technologies/technicians, other.Bachelor's Degree15$61,045 - $109,656
engineering technologies/technicians, other.Master's Degree5$77,064 - $101,137