Electrical Engineering Technology at North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND · Public · Associate Degree · Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 1,733 students in Wahpeton, ND.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,253/yr, roughly in line with the $51,472 national median for Electrical Engineering Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 61.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Electrical Engineering Technology programs nationally.

The 38% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 41% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Electrical Engineering Technology graduates.

With first-year pay of $45,253 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #28 of 63 Electrical Engineering Technology programs, North Dakota State College of Science scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $69,547 show a 54% jump from the $45,253 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Electrical Engineering Technology offers 37 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
58
Score
60
High End
Earnings $45,253/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (59% shielded)
Job Market Medium (24,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$769K
11.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.9x
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)
$11,856
Out-of-state: $13,852
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,547
54% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Electrical Engineering Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $100,940 +5.5% 66%
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830 +8.1% 68%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
$100,940
+5.5% growth 66% AI-proof
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$79,830
+8.1% growth 68% AI-proof
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Electrical Engineering Technology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Electrical Engineering Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from North Dakota State College of Science and 62 other schools.

Read the full Electrical Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Electrical Engineering Technology Overview

Electrical Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Dakota State College of Science

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering Technology at North Dakota State College of Science?
At 58/100, North Dakota State College of Science's Electrical Engineering Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Electrical Engineering Technology careers?
With 41% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $473,447 in decade earnings vs $769,285 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Electrical Engineering Technology graduates from North Dakota State College of Science?
Median debt of just $11,000 against $45,253/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 Electrical Engineering Technology graduates?
The DOL recognizes 37 apprenticeship pathways related to Electrical Engineering Technology. For students weighing North Dakota State College of Science's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →