Computer Engineering Technology at California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City

National City, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 1,410 students in National City, CA.

Program Analysis

At $48,778 per year, Computer Engineering Technology graduates from California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City significantly outpace the $33,970 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 16.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Engineering Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $20,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #8 ranking among 26 Computer Engineering Technology programs places California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 20 apprenticeship pathways connected to Computer Engineering Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
55
Score
58
High End
Earnings $48,778/yr (44% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (33% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (148,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$510K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
16.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

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

Program Tuition
$30,780
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Engineering Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Software developers $133,080 +15.8% 13%
Software quality assurance analysts and testers $102,610 +10.0% 12%
Computer programmers $98,670 -6.0% 5%
Software developers
$133,080
+15.8% growth 13% AI-proof
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
$102,610
+10.0% growth 12% AI-proof
Computer programmers
$98,670
-6.0% growth 5% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Engineering Technology Career Guide

Computer Engineering Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Computer Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Engineering Technology Overview

Computer Engineering Technology at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City's Computer Engineering Technology program score?
A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Engineering Technology field.
How vulnerable is Computer Engineering Technology to AI automation?
With 67% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $510,327 in decade earnings vs $510,327 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Computer Engineering Technology?
Yes — 20 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Computer Engineering Technology career paths, including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City.
Will Computer Engineering Technology graduates from California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City find jobs?
Job availability for Computer Engineering Technology is strong — 148,800 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →