Civil Engineering Technology at South Central College

North Mankato, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 1,890 students in North Mankato, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $55,224/yr, roughly in line with the $55,299 national median for Civil Engineering Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 61.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 27% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $55,224 far exceeding the $10,319 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Civil Engineering Technology is offered at just 3 schools in our analysis. South Central College's #3 ranking should be read in that context.

A 35% earnings increase from $55,224 to $74,712 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
58
Score
61
High End
Earnings $55,224/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (47% shielded)
Job Market Small (6,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$794K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
64.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

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

Program Tuition
$12,292
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,319
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,712
35% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

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

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Civil engineering technologists and technicians $64,200 +2.1% 41%
Traffic technicians $58,480 +3.7% 54%
Civil engineering technologists and technicians
$64,200
+2.1% growth 41% AI-proof
Traffic technicians
$58,480
+3.7% growth 54% AI-proof

Civil Engineering Technology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Civil Engineering Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from South Central College and 2 other schools.

Read the full Civil Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Civil Engineering Technology Overview

Civil Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Central College

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 Civil Engineering Technology at South Central College?
This program scores 58/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Civil Engineering Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Civil Engineering Technology to AI automation?
AI exposure of 53% is a real factor. For South Central College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($794,287) and pessimistic ($577,765) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Civil Engineering Technology at South Central College?
Median debt of just $10,319 against $55,224/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →