Best colleges for Engineering Technologies/Technicians in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University are the top bachelor's Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. Western Illinois University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $64,762, College Scorecard. Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University and Illinois State University award the most Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees in Illinois: 45, 36 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Illinois colleges offer Engineering Technologies/Technicians and award 146 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Engineering Technologies/Technicians program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to support various branches of technology. This program is ideal for individuals interested in practical applications of engineering…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,762 | 36 | 45% | — | $32,373 |
| 2 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,117 | 45 | 49% | — | $27,274 |
| 3 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,532 | 28 | 65% | — | $19,500 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morrison Institute of Technology Morrison Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $39,332 | 17 | 90% | $24,249 | $12,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees in Illinois
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 45 | $62,117 |
| 2 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 36 | $64,762 |
| 3 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 28 | $55,532 |
| 4 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 5 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake Public | 10 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Engineering Technologies/Technicians
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrison Institute of Technology | Morrison | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3022).
Top skills
What Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees?+
Northern Illinois University (45 graduates a year), Western Illinois University (36 graduates a year) and Illinois State University (28 graduates a year) award the most Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Illinois colleges offer Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
What is the best college for Engineering Technologies/Technicians in Illinois?+
By graduate earnings, Western Illinois University leads among bachelor's Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $64,762, College Scorecard. Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University follow. By degrees awarded, Northern Illinois University is the largest, with 45 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Engineering Technologies/Technicians program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Illinois University tops the list at $64,762. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians in Illinois is $81,910 (median $79,190), across about 4,190 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Engineering Technologies/Technicians program?+
The Engineering Technologies/Technicians program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to support various branches of technology. This program is ideal for individuals interested in practical applications of engineering…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians?+
The national job outlook is about +0.6% growth with around 8,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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