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Heavy Equipment Technology at Minnesota North College

Hibbing, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

with a smaller student body of 1,942 in Hibbing, MN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,396 place Minnesota North College below the $51,528 national median for Heavy Equipment Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 48.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology carry above-average AI exposure (11% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #61 ranking among 80 Heavy Equipment Technology programs places Minnesota North College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $34,396-to-$63,793 earnings arc over five years reflects a 85% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 67 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heavy Equipment Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
54
Score
54
High End
Earnings $34,396/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$604K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
50.3x
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 (In-State)
$12,008
Out-of-state: $14,604
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,793
85% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Heavy Equipment Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

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 Minnesota North College

Nursing ($61,116) Criminal Justice ($59,186) Criminal Justice ($54,328) Natural Resources Management ($45,589) Practical Nursing ($41,300) Electrical Installation ($39,258) Dental Assisting ($34,237) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($27,079)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Heavy Equipment Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 54/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heavy Equipment Technology at Minnesota North College?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Heavy Equipment Technology is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How safe is Heavy Equipment Technology from automation?
For Minnesota North College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Heavy Equipment Technology rated "AI-Proof" — 89% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Can you still earn well with Heavy Equipment Technology from Minnesota North College?
Lower starting pay at Minnesota North College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heavy Equipment Technology?
If Minnesota North College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 67 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Heavy Equipment Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Heavy Equipment Technology from Minnesota North College?
With approximately 80,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Heavy Equipment Technology offers a large employment pool. Minnesota North College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →