Ground Transportation at Advanced Technology Institute

Advanced Technology Institute's Ground Transportation certificate delivers slightly below-national earnings but significantly higher debt than typical programs in this field. At $40,332, first-year earnings trail the national median by about $1,000, though they do edge out Virginia's state median by roughly $500—landing this program in the 60th percentile among the nine Virginia schools offering this credential. The real challenge lies in the debt burden: at $14,125, students here borrow nearly double the national median of $7,706 and well above Virginia's state median of $10,294.

That said, context matters. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 remains reasonable—graduates earn roughly $3 for every dollar borrowed, making this debt manageable on a transportation technician's salary. This isn't a crushing burden, but parents should ask why their student would pay substantially more than peers at other Virginia schools for similar earning outcomes. Tidewater Community College, for comparison, produces graduates earning nearly the same amount with presumably lower debt loads given its community college structure.

For families where location or scheduling makes Advanced Technology Institute the practical choice, this program won't derail financial plans. But if alternatives exist—particularly community college options in Virginia—they likely offer better value for what is ultimately a credential leading to middle-income employment in automotive or diesel technology fields.