Energy Systems Technology at Ashland Community and Technical College

Ashland, KY · Public · Certificate · Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 1,566 students in Ashland, KY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,379/yr fall 56% below the $62,221 national median for Energy Systems Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 62.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Energy Systems Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Energy Systems Technology's career paths, with 22% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 5 schools offering Energy Systems Technology in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Energy Systems Technology offers 23 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
48
Score
49
High End
Earnings $27,379/yr (-56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (78% shielded)
Job Market Medium (19,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$293K
1.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Energy Systems Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $100,940 +5.5% 66%
Power plant operators $99,670 -11.2% 90%
Commercial and industrial designers $79,450 +3.2% 53%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
$100,940
+5.5% growth 66% AI-proof
Power plant operators
$99,670
-11.2% growth 90% AI-proof
Commercial and industrial designers
$79,450
+3.2% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Energy Systems Technology Career Guide

What can you do with a Energy Systems Technology credential from Ashland Community and Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Energy Systems Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Energy Systems Technology Overview

Energy Systems Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ashland Community and Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Energy Systems Technology at Ashland Community and Technical College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Energy Systems Technology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why are Energy Systems Technology earnings lower at Ashland Community and Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Ashland Community and Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Energy Systems Technology?
If Ashland Community and Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 23 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Energy Systems Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →