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Best Value Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Computer engineering technologies programs show dramatic earnings differences that don't always align with program costs. While CUNY New York City College of Technology offers the lowest net price at $4,783, graduates earn $39,369 annually. Meanwhile, Brigham Young University-Idaho charges $7,131 but delivers $80,336 in graduate earnings, creating one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios in technical education. The field connects directly to America's growing semiconductor and electronics manufacturing sectors, where technicians support engineering teams in everything from circuit design to system testing. Oregon Institute of Technology graduates earn $73,378 despite the program's $16,391 net cost, while University of Houston-Downtown produces $69,338 earners at $14,623. These earnings reflect strong demand for hands-on technical skills in industries ranging from aerospace to telecommunications. Public institutions dominate this field, offering accessible pathways into technology careers without the debt burden common in four-year engineering degrees. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 19.40% at CUNY NYC College of Technology to 64.90% at University of Houston, suggesting program structure and student support play important roles in completion success.
50
Programs
$4,783 – $34,530
Net Price Range
$53,295
Avg. Program Earnings
48.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,131 $80,336 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
2 $4,783 $39,369 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
3 $8,683 $41,565 $5,498 25.2%
4 $14,623 $69,338 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
5 $8,783 $40,485 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
6 $16,391 $73,378 $12,687 59.1% 92.6%
7 $9,173 $40,485 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
8 $9,962 $43,426 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
9 $16,435 $60,839 $12,460 49.3% 76.7%
10 $13,882 $50,856 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
11 $16,972 $57,318 $5,786 48.1% 67.9%
12 $12,188 $41,025 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
13 $13,853 $46,087 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
14 $14,488 $47,260 $8,862 52.7% 81.7%
15 $14,553 $39,927 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%
16 $18,609 $50,856 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
17 $33,139 $88,933 $61,884 83.2% 64.5%
18 $22,341 $57,499 $17,488 100.0% 33.3%
19 $20,473 $52,663 $18,484 44.7% 82.7%
20 $14,041 $32,563 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
21 $29,694 $64,990 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
22 $30,243 $57,499 $17,488 36.4% 50.0%
23 $30,878 $57,499 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%
24 $34,170 $60,094 $41,010 68.6% 92.3%
25 $33,294 $57,499 $17,488 42.9% 40.1%
26 $34,530 $57,499 $17,488 33.3% 26.7%
27 $19,734 $29,685 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
28 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
29 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
30 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
31 $25,314 $35,500 61.1% 48.8%
32 $17,529 $23,400 69.6%
33 $20,865 $11,400 48.9% 49.8%
34 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
35 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
36 $8,036 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
37 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
38 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
39 $20,913 $19,430 39.3% 91.5%
40 $26,084 $17,940 50.4%
41 $13,208 $6,368 31.0% 82.5%
42 $9,325 $8,280 24.3%
43 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
44 $16,136 $8,455 41.4% 61.5%
45 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
46 $30,799 $22,480 34.9% 64.7%
47 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
48 $29,558 $47,647 58.3% 82.8%
49 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
50 $31,759 $26,417 49.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $47,773 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

Regional job markets create substantial salary differences for computer engineering technicians. BYU-Idaho graduates earn $80,336 annually, benefiting from proximity to tech companies in Idaho's growing semiconductor sector. CUNY graduates earn $39,369, reflecting New York's competitive entry-level market but also higher living costs. Geographic factors like local industry concentration, cost of living adjustments, and regional demand for specific technical skills drive these variations more than program quality alone.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs and outcomes?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, though exceptions exist. Oregon Institute of Technology achieves 59.10% graduation at $16,391 net cost, while CUNY NYC College of Technology manages only 19.40% despite costing just $4,783. University of Houston combines reasonable $13,853 costs with 64.90% graduation rates. These patterns suggest that adequate funding often supports student services and resources that improve completion odds.

Is attending a private nonprofit program worth the extra cost?

Private programs in this analysis show mixed value propositions compared to public options. BYU-Idaho offers strong value with $80,336 graduate earnings at $7,131 net cost, significantly outperforming most public alternatives. However, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon charges $8,783 for $40,485 earnings outcomes. Public programs like Oregon Institute of Technology and University of Houston-Downtown often match or exceed private program outcomes at comparable costs.

Does program selectivity affect graduate earnings in this field?

Acceptance rates show little correlation with earning outcomes among these programs. Inter American University accepts only 33.81% of applicants but produces $40,485 graduate earnings, while BYU-Idaho accepts 95.56% yet delivers $80,336 earnings. University of Houston maintains moderate 66.24% acceptance with solid $46,087 outcomes. This suggests that hands-on technical programs value practical skills development over competitive admissions standards.

Where do computer engineering technology graduates typically find employment?

Graduates enter varied sectors including electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, and automotive industries. Many work as engineering technicians supporting product development teams, quality assurance specialists in manufacturing plants, or field service technicians maintaining complex systems. The $32,563 to $88,933 earnings range reflects positions from entry-level technician roles to senior technical specialists. Regional industry clusters significantly influence both job availability and salary levels across different program locations.

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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.