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Engineering Technologies/Technicians Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Engineering technology graduates command median earnings of $54,035 at North Carolina A&T State University, nearly 44% above the national average for this field. The data reveals striking cost variations across the 15 programs under $20,000, with College of Staten Island CUNY offering the lowest net cost at $5,115 while Indiana State reaches $12,188. These programs prepare students for hands-on technical roles that bridge engineering theory with practical application, particularly valuable in manufacturing regions where automation and quality control specialists remain in high demand. Florida International University stands out with a 73.9% graduation rate despite serving a large student body in Miami's tech-heavy market. The affordability factor becomes even more compelling when considering that Daytona State College graduates carry just $12,725 in debt while entering Florida's aerospace and automotive sectors. Community colleges like Northwestern Michigan College provide access at $5,243 net cost, though graduation rates vary significantly across institutions, from Langston University's 17.5% to Florida International's nearly three-quarters completion rate.
41
Programs
$5,115 – $19,164
Net Price Range
$50,471
Avg. Program Earnings
48.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
2 $5,243 $5,350 24.9%
3 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
4 $7,201 $3,106 41.2%
5 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
6 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
7 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
8 $9,421 $3,284 27.3%
9 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
10 $10,705 $6,900 21.5%
11 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
12 $11,359 $6,728 17.5%
13 $11,609 $5,392 45.2% 43.1%
14 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
15 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
16 $13,085 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
17 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
18 $13,451 $11,160 42.7% 82.9%
19 $13,832 $10,990 38.0% 68.9%
20 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
21 $13,953 $7,392 25.4%
22 $14,035 $8,898 34.6% 81.6%
23 $14,170 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
24 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
25 $14,850 $12,426 51.1% 78.5%
26 $15,044 $6,706 28.2%
27 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
28 $15,389 $9,622 43.0%
29 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
30 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
31 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
32 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
33 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
34 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
35 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
36 $17,387 $8,710 48.0% 83.2%
37 $17,393 $8,769 31.9% 87.2%
38 $17,555 $7,672 66.8% 95.5%
39 $17,791 $6,206 10.2%
40 $18,889 $8,008 57.6% 86.2%
41 $19,164 $14,710 58.4% 89.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap in graduation rates between engineering technology programs?

Graduation rates span from 17.5% at Langston University to 73.9% at Florida International University, reflecting institutional resources and student support systems. Community colleges like University of Hawaii Maui College show 27.3% completion rates, typical for open-access institutions serving working students. Four-year universities generally achieve higher completion rates, with North Carolina A&T reaching 55.3% while maintaining strong industry connections.

How do in-state and net costs differ across these engineering technology programs?

In-state tuition ranges from $3,106 at Daytona State College to $10,896 at Northern Kentucky University, but net costs tell a different story. College of Staten Island CUNY students pay just $5,115 after aid despite $7,490 list price. Florida International University's net cost of $9,133 reflects strong financial aid despite serving Miami's competitive market.

Where do engineering technology graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

North Carolina A&T State University graduates earn $54,035 annually, significantly above the field average and reflecting the school's strong industry partnerships in North Carolina's research triangle. Farmingdale State College graduates start at $47,520 in New York's manufacturing sector. Daytona State graduates earn $37,568, competitive considering Florida's lower cost of living and growing aerospace industry.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in engineering technology?

Northeastern State University accepts 99.46% of applicants yet maintains 37.2% graduation rates, suggesting open access rather than selectivity drives admissions. Fort Valley State University's 43.09% acceptance rate with 45.2% graduation rate indicates more selective admissions. Florida International University balances 63.86% acceptance with strong 73.9% completion rates.

What debt levels should students expect from these affordable programs?

Available debt data shows Daytona State College graduates carry just $12,725 in loans, well below national averages for technical programs. North Carolina A&T graduates manage $30,433 in debt but earn $54,035 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. Community college programs typically generate lower debt loads due to shorter completion timelines and lower base costs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.