Engineering Technology at Jefferson State Community College

Birmingham, AL · Public · Associate Degree · Engineering Technology, General

enrolling 5,443 students in Birmingham, AL.

Program Analysis

Jefferson State Community College's Engineering Technology graduates start at $38,981/yr, trailing the $51,680 national average by 25%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 64.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering Technology programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 40% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Engineering Technology graduates.

This program is one of 9 schools offering Engineering Technology in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $61,350 show a 57% jump from the $38,981 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Engineering Technology offers 31 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
56
Score
59
High End
Earnings $38,981/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (28,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$684K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.9x
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)
$10,080
Out-of-state: $17,700
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,350
57% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Engineering Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830 +8.1% 68%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians $77,180 +0.6% 59%
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$79,830
+8.1% growth 68% AI-proof
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
$77,180
+0.6% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Engineering Technology Career Guide

Explore what Engineering Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 9 programs nationwide.

Read the full Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Engineering Technology Overview

Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Jefferson State Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 56/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Engineering Technology at Jefferson State Community College?
A score of 56/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Jefferson State Community College trails the majority of Engineering Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Engineering Technology graduates from Jefferson State Community College?
Our scenarios model 40% of Engineering Technology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Jefferson State Community College's 56/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can you still earn well with Engineering Technology from Jefferson State Community College?
Lower starting pay at Jefferson State Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Engineering Technology program at Jefferson State Community College?
The DOL recognizes 31 apprenticeship pathways related to Engineering Technology. For students weighing Jefferson State Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →