Engineering Technologyat Western Illinois University
Graduates earn $64,762/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Engineering Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $644K; scenarios range from $586K to $659K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Illinois University
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Illinois University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Engineering Technology
How Western Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Illinois University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Engineering Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Engineering Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Engineering Technology at Western Illinois University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering Technology at Western Illinois University?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Engineering Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $586,183 in decade earnings vs $658,742 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.