Engineering Technology at Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, TN · Public · Associate Degree · Engineering Technology, General

serving 6,391 students in Knoxville, TN.

Program Analysis

At $46,301/yr, Engineering Technology graduates from Pellissippi State Community College land near the $51,680 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 66.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Engineering Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $6,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Engineering Technology is offered at just 9 schools in our analysis. Pellissippi State Community College's #5 ranking should be read in that context.

A 28% earnings increase from $46,301 to $59,287 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 31 apprenticeship pathways connected to Engineering Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
60
Score
62
High End
Earnings $46,301/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (28,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$621K
6.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
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)
$9,152
Out-of-state: $35,552
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,750
1.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,287
28% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Engineering Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
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 electronic engineering technologists and technicians $77,180 +0.6% 59%
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
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
$77,180
+0.6% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Engineering Technology Career Guide

What can you do with a Engineering Technology credential from Pellissippi State Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Engineering Technology Overview

Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pellissippi State Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Engineering Technology at Pellissippi State Community College?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Pellissippi State Community College trails the majority of Engineering Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI affect Engineering Technology careers?
Our scenarios model 40% of Engineering Technology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Pellissippi State Community College's 60/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Engineering Technology graduates from Pellissippi State Community College?
At $6,750 in median debt, Engineering Technology graduates from Pellissippi State Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Engineering Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Pellissippi State Community College?
Yes — 31 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Engineering Technology career paths, including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Pellissippi State Community College.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →