At $20,489/yr net price, Orion Technical College graduates earn $37,008/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,008/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,489 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $81,956 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,008/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,008/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 27.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,409/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,741/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,431/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,127/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $51,273 | $27,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,674 | $24,090 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $28,816 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $24,808 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
80.5% of students at Orion Technical College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Orion Technical College is a hard sell financially. You pay about $20,489 a year in net price, and the typical graduate earns $37,008 after ten years. That earnings figure sits below what many workers with only a high school diploma make, so the money you spend here does not reliably buy you higher pay.
The one program that clears the bar is the Electrical Engineering Technologies bachelor's degree, where graduates pull in over $51,000. That's the outlier. It comes with roughly $27,000 in debt, far above the school's $9,500 median, so the payoff depends on you finishing and landing a technician job in the Davenport region's manufacturing and utility sectors. Every dollar of that extra debt is a bet on that specific outcome.
Outside electrical tech, there's no bachelor-level program data here that supports strong earnings, so treat the median $37,008 as your realistic expectation for most other paths. The 80.5% graduation rate is a genuine bright spot. you're likely to finish. But finishing a program that doesn't lift your income leaves you with a credential that costs more than it returns.
The net price tiers here work backwards from what you'd want. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $19,409, but families in the $75,000 to $110,000 range pay over $26,000. Lower income doesn't buy you a steep discount, and the gap between tiers is small enough that no income group gets a real break.
This school makes financial sense if you're set on the electrical engineering technology track and plan to work in the local trades. For any other program, you should price out a community college or public option first, because the earnings here don't justify the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orion Technical College worth the money?
Orion Technical College graduates earn $37,008 annually 10 years after graduation, which is below average for the $20,489 yearly cost. The electrical engineering technology program offers better returns at $51,273, but other programs struggle to justify the expense.
What are the best paying programs at Orion Technical College?
Electrical Engineering Technologies leads with $51,273 in median earnings, making it the only program that clearly pays off. Health administration and medical assisting programs earn $28,816 and $24,808 respectively, which may not cover loan payments comfortably.
How much debt do Orion Technical College students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $9,500, which is relatively low compared to most colleges. With an 80.5% graduation rate, most students do finish their programs, but earnings in many fields may still make repayment challenging.
Should I attend Orion Technical College for healthcare programs?
Healthcare administration graduates earn $28,816 while medical assisting graduates earn $24,808 annually. These salaries may struggle to support loan repayment and living expenses, especially given the program costs.