Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 6 reporting college programs.
+$72,699 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Flint Hills Technical College$72,0462Thomas Edison State University$71,5723Washburn University$66,1204New Castle School of Trades$63,0985Ohio Technical College$50,2756Arkansas State University-Mountain Home$43,129Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flint Hills Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Emporia, KS | $72,046 | Not available | +122% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Thomas Edison State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Trenton, NJ | $71,572 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 3 | Washburn UniversityAssociate's Degree | Topeka, KS | $66,120 | Not available | +75% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | New Castle School of TradesAssociate's Degree | New Castle, PA | $63,098 | $12,385 | +70% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Ohio Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $50,275 | Not available | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Arkansas State University-Mountain HomeAssociate's Degree | Mountain Home, AR | $43,129 | Not available | -117% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.