Home › Ferris State University › Heavy Equipment Technology

Heavy Equipment Technology at Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

Ferris State University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 8,087 students in Big Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $55,532/yr, edging above the $51,528 national average for Heavy Equipment Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 29.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates.

At $13,000 in median debt against $55,532 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #49 out of 80 programs, Ferris State University's financial outcomes for Heavy Equipment Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $55,532 to $76,779 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 67 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heavy Equipment Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $55,532/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$821K
8.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
30.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$27,260
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,779
38% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers $106,580 +5.0% 82%
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door $74,690 +1.3% 87%
Rail car repairers $65,680 +2.8% 90%
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
$106,580
+5.0% growth 82% AI-proof
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
$74,690
+1.3% growth 87% AI-proof
Rail car repairers
$65,680
+2.8% growth 90% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Heavy Equipment Technology Career Guide

Explore what Heavy Equipment Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 80 programs nationwide.

Read the full Heavy Equipment Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heavy Equipment Technology Overview

View all 80 schools offering Heavy Equipment Technology →

Heavy Equipment Technology at Other Schools

Warren County Career Center ($70,305) Ranken Technical College ($70,010) Gateway Community and Technical College ($69,378) Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology ($68,422) Dakota County Technical College ($67,618) Gateway Community and Technical College ($66,827) Montcalm Community College ($66,358) Bluegrass Community and Technical College ($65,743)

Other Majors at Ferris State University

Precision Metalworking ($68,852) Vehicle Repair Technology ($68,791) Health Administration ($68,630) Quality Control & Safety Technology ($67,753) Mechanical Engineering Technology ($62,282) Mechanical Engineering Technology ($56,819) Precision Metalworking ($56,811) Business Administration ($54,060)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Heavy Equipment Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ferris State University's Heavy Equipment Technology program score?
A score of 57/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Ferris State University trails the majority of Heavy Equipment Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Heavy Equipment Technology?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 11% of Heavy Equipment Technology tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 9 of 9 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What's the typical debt for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from Ferris State University?
Median debt of just $13,000 against $55,532/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates?
There are 67 registered apprenticeships connected to Heavy Equipment Technology occupations, such as Accessibility And Private Residence Lift Technician and Auto Maintenance-Equipment Servicer. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Heavy Equipment Technology workers?
Job availability for Heavy Equipment Technology is strong — 80,400 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Ferris State University graduates specifically, local market conditions in MI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →