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Electrical Engineering Technology at Virginia Western Community College

Roanoke, VA · Public · Certificate · Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 3,777 students in Roanoke, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $40,104/yr fall 22% below the $51,472 national median for Electrical Engineering Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 79.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #24 ranking among 63 Electrical Engineering Technology programs places Virginia Western Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 37 apprenticeship pathways connected to Electrical Engineering Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
59
Score
60
High End
Earnings $40,104/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (59% shielded)
Job Market Medium (24,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$420K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
79.8x
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)
$5,256
Out-of-state: $11,259

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 Virginia Western Community College and 62 other schools.

Read the full Electrical Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Electrical Engineering Technology Overview

View all 63 schools offering Electrical Engineering Technology →

Electrical Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Stark State College ($109,198) Bismarck State College ($89,460) Jefferson Community and Technical College ($71,070) Bluegrass Community and Technical College ($69,924) Greenville Technical College ($69,797) Indian Hills Community College ($68,590) Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ($67,406) Victoria College ($63,908)

Other Majors at Virginia Western Community College

Nursing ($64,052) Dental Assisting ($61,030) Allied Health Professions ($54,480) Industrial Production Technology ($49,287) Practical Nursing ($48,420) HVAC Technology ($40,629) Business Administration ($38,214) Electrical Installation ($34,439)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Electrical Engineering Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Western Community College's Electrical Engineering Technology program score?
At 59/100, Virginia Western Community College's Electrical Engineering Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering Technology at Virginia Western Community College?
Our scenarios model 41% of Electrical Engineering Technology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Virginia Western Community College's 59/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is Virginia Western Community College a good choice for Electrical Engineering Technology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia Western Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Electrical Engineering Technology graduates?
If Virginia Western Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 37 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Electrical Engineering Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →