Compare 16 Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians. programs in the South. Average earnings: $60,404.
The highest-earning Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $49K earnings gap across 16 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Kennesaw State University's Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians program leads with graduates earning $78,990. The story reinforces how regional publics compete—Southeastern Louisiana University ($76,222) and University of Memphis ($71,936) round out the top three, all outperforming the $60,404 average while maintaining accessible admissions above 69%.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Berea College graduates borrow just $3,591 and face only a 2.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, proving exceptional programs can also be exceptionally affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $78,990 | 65 | $23,833 | Excellent | $19,000 | Good | |
| #2 | $76,222 | 20 | $22,113 | Excellent | $10,611 | Good | |
| #3 | University Of MemphisPublic | $71,936 | 35 | $23,300 | Excellent | $15,393 | Good |
| #4 | $71,825 | 62 | $15,650 | Excellent | $11,640 | Good | |
| #5 | $67,301 | 52 | $21,868 | Excellent | $18,241 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $65,050 | 45 | $22,250 | Excellent | $10,050 | Good | |
| #7 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $64,513 | 53 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,500 | Manageable |
| #8 | $63,807 | 32 | $16,624 | Excellent | $12,269 | Good | |
| #9 | $62,089 | 41 | $20,547 | Excellent | $14,710 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $60,785 | 47 | $20,000 | Excellent | $14,229 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $60,228 | 54 | $19,442 | Excellent | $16,938 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $57,318 | 35 | $15,954 | Excellent | $12,721 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $48,432 | 10 | $19,500 | Good | $12,719 | Challenging | |
| #14 | Berea CollegePrivate | $47,801 | 16 | $3,591 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent |
| #15 | $40,485 | 46 | $36,500 | High | $21,007 | High | |
| #16 | $29,685 | 5 | $12,950 | High | $8,107 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
