Program Analysis
At $64,762 per year, Engineering Technology graduates from Western Illinois University earn slightly above the $58,810 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.8x 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 $30,059 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #18 of 34 Engineering Technology programs, Western Illinois University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $76,965 are relatively flat compared to the $64,762 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.