Best colleges for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology by graduate earnings are Liberty University ($66,126), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach ($52,897) and Cochise County Community College District ($39,428), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA): $66,126, 78 graduates a year
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach (Daytona Beach, FL): $52,897, 27 graduates a year
- Cochise County Community College District (Sierra Vista, AZ): $39,428, 98 graduates a year
Compare 7 U.S. colleges offering Military Systems and Maintenance Technology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 7 states.
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $52,897 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 29.04 and the Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Military Systems and Maintenance Technology programs
The Military Systems and Maintenance Technology program focuses on the technical skills required to support and maintain military technologies and systems. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in military engineering, aerospace, and defense technology, providing essential training for those who wish to work in this critical field.
Learn more about Military Systems and Maintenance Technology →
Students in this program will develop core skills in critical thinking, active listening, and technical knowledge in areas such as mechanical systems, engineering technologies, and mathematics. Coursework includes hands-on training in inspecting, diagnosing, and maintaining military systems and equipment.
Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,126 | 78 | 65% | $28,911 | $19,407 |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,897 | 27 | 67% | $38,899 | $25,625 |
| 3 | Cochise County Community College District Sierra Vista, AZ Public · Associate degree | $39,428 | 98 | 30% | — | $17,322 |
Specializations within Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
5 of the 10 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 29.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Air and Space Operations TechnologyCIP 29.0402partial data116 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- Aerospace Ground Equipment TechnologyCIP 29.0401limited data80 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Military Information Systems TechnologyCIP 29.0406limited data15 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Explosive Ordinance/CIP 29.0404
Bomb Disposal limited data14 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states - Radar Communications and Systems TechnologyCIP 29.0409limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 10 codes (5 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Aircraft Armament Systems Technology29.0403
- Joint Command/
Task Force (C329.0405 - Missile and Space Systems Technology29.0407
- Munitions Systems/
Ordinance Technology29.0408 - Military Systems and Maintenance Technology29.0499
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 7 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginialimited | 1 | $66,126 | Liberty University |
| Floridalimited | 1 | $52,897 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | $39,428 | Cochise County Community College District |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3021, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Military Systems and Maintenance Technology program can expect a much faster than average job growth of 8.1%, with approximately 900 annual openings in the field. The typical education required is an associate's degree, and the median wage for professionals in this area is $79,830.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 29.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 29.04 (Military Systems and Maintenance Technology) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-3021 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Techniciansprimary |
| 17-3029 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| 55-1014 | Artillery and Missile Officers |
| 55-1015 | Command and Control Center Officers |
| 55-1017 | Special Forces Officers |
| 55-3012 | Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists |
| 55-3014 | Artillery and Missile Crew Members |
| 55-3015 | Command and Control Center Specialists |
| 55-3018 | Special Forces |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Military Systems and Maintenance Technology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
- Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
- Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
- Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology, Air and Space Operations Technology, and Explosive Ordinance/Bomb Disposal, among others.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and technical knowledge related to military systems.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.1% and around 900 annual job openings.
What is the typical education needed for this field?+
Most positions require at least an associate's degree.
How much do Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates earn?+
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $52,897, College Scorecard (2019); the Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians occupation pays about $91,310 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Military Systems and Maintenance Technology?+
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology maps to CIP 29.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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