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Public universities deliver Engineering Technologies programs at remarkably different price points, with College of Staten Island CUNY offering the most affordable option at just $5,115 annually while North Carolina A&T State graduates earn $54,035 within six years of completing their degrees. The 15 most affordable programs span from New York's technical colleges to historically black universities in the Southeast, reflecting the field's broad geographic demand. Engineering technicians work across manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy sectors that drive regional economies from Michigan's automotive corridor to Florida's aerospace industry. Graduation rates vary significantly, ranging from Cameron University's 21.5% to Florida International University's impressive 73.9%, suggesting program structure and student support make substantial differences in completion success. Northwestern Michigan College charges just $5,350 for in-state students while maintaining specialized technical training that serves the Great Lakes region's industrial base. The field bridges hands-on technical skills with engineering principles, making these affordable programs particularly valuable for students seeking direct pathways into manufacturing, construction, and technology careers without accumulating excessive debt.
45
Programs
$5,115 – $24,678
Net Price Range
$54,000
Avg. Program Earnings
48.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

45 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%
42 $20,709 $44,360 56.0% 75.7%
43 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
44 $21,185 $14,746 61.4% 57.7%
45 $24,678 $27,318 46.7% 64.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes North Carolina A&T State University graduates earn $54,035 compared to other programs?

North Carolina A&T combines engineering technology training with strong industry partnerships in the Research Triangle region. The university charges $10,980 annually with a 55.3% graduation rate, indicating solid program completion support. The higher earnings likely reflect the school's connections to aerospace, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing employers in North Carolina's tech corridor.

How do graduation rates differ between the most affordable programs?

Graduation rates span from Cameron University's 21.5% to Florida International University's 73.9%, showing dramatic variation in student success. Northwestern Michigan College achieves 24.9% completion at just $5,243 annually, while Farmingdale State College reaches 57.1% at $9,173. The data suggests that slightly higher costs often correlate with better support systems and completion rates.

Where do the lowest-cost engineering technology programs operate?

The most affordable programs cluster in states with strong public university systems and technical education priorities. College of Staten Island CUNY leads at $5,115, followed by Northwestern Michigan College at $5,243 and Northern Kentucky University at $7,168. These schools serve metropolitan areas with established manufacturing and technology sectors that create consistent demand for engineering technicians.

Does program location affect career opportunities in engineering technology?

Regional job markets significantly influence career prospects, with programs near manufacturing centers offering better placement rates. Florida International University's 73.9% graduation rate benefits from Miami's aerospace and marine industries. Michigan and Kentucky programs serve automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors, while North Carolina programs connect to Research Triangle technology companies.

What debt levels do students typically graduate with from these programs?

Available debt data shows manageable borrowing levels, with Daytona State College graduates averaging $12,725 in debt against $37,568 in early career earnings. North Carolina A&T graduates carry higher debt at $30,433 but also earn $54,035, creating a more favorable debt-to-income ratio. The two-year and four-year program mix influences both completion costs and earning potential.

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