Military Systems and Maintenance Technology: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 2 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$42,228 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
11.5 yrsModeled economic break-even
−13%Modeled 10-year ROI
$72,903Observed earnings · year 4
$24,758Maximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
The price benchmark would need to fall by $10,557 per year to reach it.
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate itObserved national outcomes
$72,903Median reported earnings · year 4
Not availableAverage reported earnings · year 5
$22,516Median federal debt
66thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
1With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
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.
Median
25th percentile$72,903National median$72,90375th percentile$72,903
1 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 2 programs →Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
2 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach$72,9032Liberty UniversityNot availableObserved year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →14%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians$82,890 median wage11,280 U.S. jobs · SOC 17-3021+11.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$59,050–$125,160 10th–90th percentileArtillery and Missile Crew MembersUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-3014Command and Control Center OfficersUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-1015Command and Control Center SpecialistsUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-3015NO MATCHUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 99-9999Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$78,350 median wage59,930 U.S. jobs · SOC 17-3029+2.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 5.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$47,030–$118,330 10th–90th percentileAircraft Launch and Recovery SpecialistsUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-3012Artillery and Missile OfficersUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-1014Special ForcesUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-3018Special Forces OfficersUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-1017
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
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 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachBachelor's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | $72,903 | $25,625 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Liberty UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | Not available | $19,407 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $29,357 |
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.