Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility in the South
Updated
Regional list from Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility
Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility in the South lists 52 schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks 1st on this page, with median earnings of $81,698 ten years after entry.
Across the listed schools, median earnings of all students ten years after entry range from $81,698 to $38,924. The median is $49,936.
Ten years after entry, the gap between the first and second ranked schools is $9,601.
51 of the 52 schools are public and 1 is private nonprofit. Berea College posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $6,106.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 10 years after entry | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Pell share | Mobility percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $81,698 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 15.3% | 94th |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reports median earnings of $81,698 for all students ten years after entry, the highest figure on this list. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($81,618) | ||||||
| 2 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $72,097 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 19.6% | 99th |
| An average net price of $12,784 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions at Texas A&M University-College Station. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (271 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (149 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (101 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($101,540), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($99,943) | ||||||
| 3 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $71,588 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 21.7% | 97th |
| University of Florida posts an average net price of $6,541, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (100 graduates), Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($109,139) | ||||||
| 4 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $71,513 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 14.8% | 89th |
| Clemson University ranks 4th on this page, with an 89th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (82 graduates), Engineering-Related Fields (55 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($94,449) | ||||||
| 5 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $68,758 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 19.6% | 95th |
| A 20% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and median earnings of $68,758 ten years after entry are reported by North Carolina State University at Raleigh. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians ($66,491) | ||||||
| 6 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $62,377 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 41.6% | 100th |
| University of Houston sits at the 100th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $10,929 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (191 graduates), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (68 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (65 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($97,201), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($87,022), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($84,692) | ||||||
| 7 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $60,249 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 41.4% | 99th |
| Florida International University reports median earnings of $60,249 for all students ten years after entry, alongside a 41% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (62 graduates), Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($99,471) | ||||||
| 8 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $57,552 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 37.7% | 99th |
| An average net price of $15,048 and a 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions are posted by Kennesaw State University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (55 graduates), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (54 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($91,329), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($89,729), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($83,083) | ||||||
| 9 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $57,413 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 28.0% | 93rd |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ranks 9th on this list, with median earnings of $57,413 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (67 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (40 graduates), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($89,342), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($76,400) | ||||||
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $57,289 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 33.9% | 96th |
| A 34% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants coincides with an average net price of $10,357 for families earning under $30,000 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (63 graduates), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (54 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($78,160), Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($75,611) | ||||||
| 11 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $57,010 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 38.0% | 98th |
| University of North Texas reports a 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and median earnings of $57,010 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (53 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($80,138) | ||||||
| 12 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $56,906 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 37.2% | 99th |
| Texas State University posts an average net price of $16,805, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $56,906 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (124 graduates), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (56 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($100,352) | ||||||
| 13 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $56,343 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 30.8% | 90th |
| University of North Florida ranks 13th on this list, with median earnings of $56,343 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (80 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($94,692) | ||||||
| 14 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $55,146 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 31.8% | 92nd |
| An average net price of $10,046 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 92nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar among nonprofit four-year institutions at East Carolina University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (201 graduates), Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (123 graduates), Engineering-Related Fields (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other ($87,848), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($81,852) | ||||||
| 15 | Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA | $54,914 | $14,638 | $9,739 | 36.8% | 92nd |
| Old Dominion University reports a 37% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and median earnings of $54,914 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (141 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other ($81,077) | ||||||
| 16 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $54,211 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 41.3% | 96th |
| At Sam Houston State University, a public university in Huntsville, the average net price is $16,404 and the mobility percentile sits at the 96th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (69 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (25 graduates), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($93,904) | ||||||
| 17 | University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX | $53,551 | $10,542 | $9,439 | 55.2% | 96th |
| University of Houston-Downtown ranks 17th on this list and posts median earnings of $53,551 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (22 graduates), Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (18 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($112,244), Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($58,535) | ||||||
| 18 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $53,236 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 36.3% | 95th |
| An average net price of $12,162 for families earning under $30,000 and a 36% Pell share are reported at Georgia Southern University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (107 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($95,844) | ||||||
| 19 | Tarleton State University · Stephenville, TX | $53,040 | $20,783 | $15,574 | 34.4% | 88th |
| Tarleton State University shows median earnings of $53,040 ten years after entry, alongside an 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (52 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (28 graduates), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($87,678) | ||||||
| 20 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $52,279 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 21.7% | 77th |
| Louisiana Tech University ranks 20th on this list and reports an average net price of $11,864. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (51 graduates), Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (17 graduates) | ||||||
| 21 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $51,836 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 26.4% | 91st |
| A 26% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants coincides with median earnings of $51,836 ten years after entry at Appalachian State University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (56 graduates) | ||||||
| 22 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $51,513 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 29.3% | 88th |
| Mississippi State University posts an 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and an average net price of $14,332 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($79,068) | ||||||
| 23 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $51,450 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 52.7% | 76th |
| At Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a public university in Kingsville, median earnings reach $51,450 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($71,207) | ||||||
| 24 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN | $51,151 | $14,265 | $9,876 | 32.8% | 73rd |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga ranks 24th on this list and reports a 33% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (51 graduates), Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($92,900) | ||||||
| 25 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $50,741 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 41.1% | 80th |
| West Texas A & M University reports median earnings of $50,741 ten years after entry and sits at the 80th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (7 graduates) | ||||||
| 26 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $50,220 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 25.2% | 71st |
| An average net price of $2,603 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 71st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index at Northern Kentucky University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (31 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($88,492) | ||||||
| 27 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $49,652 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 46.5% | 79th |
| Lamar University ranks 27th on this list, with median earnings of $49,652 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 46%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (46 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($87,113) | ||||||
| 28 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $49,458 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 34.6% | 86th |
| At Western Carolina University, the 86th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions is paired with an average net price of $13,315. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (53 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (43 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($83,954), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($78,801) | ||||||
| 29 | University of South Carolina-Upstate · Spartanburg, SC | $48,587 | $13,557 | $11,618 | 46.2% | 77th |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate posts median earnings of $48,587 ten years after entry, and its Pell share reaches 46%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (15 graduates) | ||||||
| 30 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $48,541 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 31.8% | 90th |
| A 90th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and an average net price of $9,289 for families earning under $30,000 are reported by Middle Tennessee State University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (43 graduates), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (22 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($83,405), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($80,541) | ||||||
| 31 | Tennessee Technological University · Cookeville, TN | $48,501 | $14,246 | $9,815 | 30.9% | 88th |
| Tennessee Technological University ranks 31st on this list and reports median earnings of $48,501 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (69 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($77,658) | ||||||
| 32 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $48,458 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 41.2% | 88th |
| University of Memphis shows a Pell share of 41% alongside median earnings of $48,458 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($79,914) | ||||||
| 33 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette, LA | $47,089 | $13,530 | $11,157 | 41.5% | 91st |
| The 91st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index at University of Louisiana at Lafayette coincides with an average net price of $13,530. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (59 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($69,334) | ||||||
| 34 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana · Natchitoches, LA | $47,021 | $13,606 | $11,693 | 35.2% | 71st |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana reports median earnings of $47,021 ten years after entry and an average net price of $11,693 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (18 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($74,209) | ||||||
| 35 | Southeastern Louisiana University · Hammond, LA | $46,482 | $13,154 | $10,507 | 33.3% | 84th |
| Southeastern Louisiana University ranks 35th on this list, with an 84th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (37 graduates), Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (34 graduates), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($83,039), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($76,401), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($74,785) | ||||||
| 36 | Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY | $45,795 | $11,040 | $8,591 | 41.1% | 82nd |
| A Pell share of 41% and median earnings of $45,795 ten years after entry are reported by Eastern Kentucky University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (120 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (15 graduates), Engineering-Related Fields (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($92,289) | ||||||
| 37 | Virginia State University · Petersburg, VA | $45,543 | $15,840 | $13,220 | 72.1% | 84th |
| Virginia State University reports median earnings of $45,543 for its students ten years after entry, and sits at the 84th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (16 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (11 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (8 graduates) | ||||||
| 38 | Nicholls State University · Thibodaux, LA | $45,454 | $12,947 | $10,714 | 34.1% | 69th |
| An average net price of $10,714 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 34% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants at Nicholls State University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians (15 graduates), Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians ($74,167) | ||||||
| 39 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $45,411 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 65.6% | 92nd |
| Prairie View A & M University ranks 39th on this list, with median earnings of $45,411 ten years after entry and a 66% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($64,359) | ||||||
| 40 | Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK | $45,379 | $12,710 | $10,598 | 45.1% | 75th |
| A 45% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and an average net price of $12,710 are reported by Northeastern State University, a public university in Tahlequah. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($69,276) | ||||||
| 41 | Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL | $45,235 | $14,279 | $12,472 | 42.6% | 83rd |
| Jacksonville State University posts median earnings of $45,235 for its students ten years after entry, and an average net price of $12,472 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (29 graduates), Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (21 graduates) | ||||||
| 42 | East Tennessee State University · Johnson City, TN | $44,859 | $15,983 | $12,433 | 34.8% | 76th |
| At the 76th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, East Tennessee State University reports median earnings of $44,859 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (52 graduates), Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($75,298) | ||||||
| 43 | Murray State University · Murray, KY | $44,737 | $9,096 | $6,242 | 33.3% | 74th |
| Murray State University carries an average net price of $9,096, and its students earn a median of $44,737 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (54 graduates), Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (29 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($87,573), Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($84,705), Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($58,862) | ||||||
| 44 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $44,440 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 52.3% | 90th |
| With a 52% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, North Carolina A & T State University reports median earnings of $44,440 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (30 graduates), Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($77,476), Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other ($74,974) | ||||||
| 45 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL | $44,349 | $13,739 | $13,299 | 54.3% | 91st |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University sits at the 91st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, and reports an average net price of $13,299 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (12 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($98,272) | ||||||
| 46 | Austin Peay State University · Clarksville, TN | $44,301 | $9,735 | $7,588 | 43.5% | 78th |
| An average net price of $9,735 and median earnings of $44,301 ten years after entry are the figures for Austin Peay State University. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (44 graduates) | ||||||
| 47 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $44,140 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 46.3% | 82nd |
| University of Southern Mississippi reports a 46% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants alongside median earnings of $44,140 for its students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians (98 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (51 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($82,848) | ||||||
| 48 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $43,889 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 30.5% | 78th |
| Western Kentucky University ranks 48th on this list, with an average net price of $7,087 for families earning under $30,000 and a 78th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($86,033) | ||||||
| 49 | Berea College · Berea, KY | $43,150 | $6,106 | $5,428 | 83.7% | 61st |
| Berea College, a private nonprofit institution in Berea, reports median earnings of $43,150 for all students ten years after entry and an average net price of $6,106. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (17 graduates) | ||||||
| 50 | Grambling State University · Grambling, LA | $41,109 | $19,809 | $18,666 | 75.0% | 75th |
| Grambling State University sits at the 75th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $41,109 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (19 graduates) | ||||||
| 51 | Jackson State University · Jackson, MS | $39,060 | $23,836 | $22,869 | 72.3% | 77th |
| Jackson State University ranks 51st on this list, with a Pell share of 72% and an average net price of $22,869 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($52,107) | ||||||
| 52 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $38,924 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 72.3% | 87th |
| Texas Southern University in Houston posts median earnings of $38,924 ten years after entry and an 87th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (9 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (9 graduates) | ||||||
How this list is ordered
Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The ordering metric is the median earnings of all federally aided students at the institution, measured ten years after entry, among those working and not enrolled. It does not adjust for cost or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 52 schools with a published figure. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads Texas A&M University-College Station by $9,601 in median earnings ten years after entry, and the spread from top to bottom is $42,774.
Job market context in the South
Graduates of Engineering Technology programs in the South enter a labor market that links to occupations such as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, and Industrial Engineers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $75,141, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $59,767. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 11.4% higher, with 238,330 projected openings a year, or about 3,462 openings a year for every hundred graduates, which means more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses the median earnings of all students at each school ten years after entry; the wage and openings figures here describe the broader occupational context and are not the same measure.
Related rankings
- Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility
- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility in the Midwest
- Engineering Technology Colleges in the Northeast for Social Mobility
- Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility in the West
- Engineering Technology Colleges in the South