Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Engineering Technology, General
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
63
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,622/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Medium (28,100 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 34 Engineering Technology, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering Technology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $678K $661K $600K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.8x 16.4x 14.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.2x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 50% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 63 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,336
Out-of-state: $80,464 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,828
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,087
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,409
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $59,622/yr, Engineering Technology graduates from Tennessee Technological University land near the $58,810 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering Technology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $22,087 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #12 of 34 Engineering Technology programs, Tennessee Technological University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $59,622 to $78,409 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Tennessee Technological University

With 83% of applicants admitted, Tennessee Technological University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 8,495 in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological University →

Top Career Paths

Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830/yr
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390/yr
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians $77,180/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tennessee Technological University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Engineering Technology field.
Will AI replace Engineering Technology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $600,113 in decade earnings vs $677,953 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →