Engineering Technology at Northwestern Michigan College

Traverse City, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Engineering Technology, General

with a smaller student body of 2,668 in Traverse City, MI.

Program Analysis

Northwestern Michigan College's Engineering Technology program produces graduates earning $50,148/yr — within striking distance of the $51,680 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 49.0x 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 career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

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

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

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
57
Score
59
High End
Earnings $50,148/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (28,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$525K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
49.0x
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)
$10,700
Out-of-state: $25,524

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

See the full career breakdown for Engineering Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Northwestern Michigan College and 8 other schools.

Read the full Engineering Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Engineering Technology Overview

Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwestern Michigan 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Engineering Technology at Northwestern Michigan College?
This program scores 57/100 — 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.
What's the AI risk for Engineering Technology graduates from Northwestern Michigan College?
Our scenarios model 40% of Engineering Technology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Northwestern Michigan College's 57/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Engineering Technology?
The DOL recognizes 31 apprenticeship pathways related to Engineering Technology. For students weighing Northwestern Michigan 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 →