Analysis
The estimated $9,280 in debt for this certificate program, based on typical borrowing patterns at similar community colleges, pairs with first-year earnings around $47,000—a debt load you could reasonably tackle in under six months of gross pay. That 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio puts this squarely in "manageable investment" territory, especially when you consider that ground transportation certificates typically lead straight to work rather than requiring additional credentials.
What makes these estimates particularly meaningful is that they align with actual outcomes from other Texas programs in this field. The $47,000 earnings figure represents the median for similar programs statewide, matching what graduates from Miller-Motte's various Texas locations actually earn. The national picture shows most ground transportation programs cluster around $41,000, so Texas programs—and by extension, likely this one—appear to offer stronger earning potential than you'd find in many other states.
For a family concerned about ROI, the key advantage here is speed to employment combined with reasonable debt. While we can't confirm Amarillo College's specific outcomes given the small graduate cohort, comparable programs suggest your child could enter a stable transportation field without the debt burden that makes so many bachelor's degrees risky. Just verify what specific licenses or endorsements this certificate provides—in transportation, the credential details matter as much as the degree itself.
Where Amarillo College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (9 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,136 | $46,909* | — | $9,280* | — | |
| — | $46,909* | $39,461 | $7,875* | 0.17 | |
| — | $46,909* | $39,461 | $7,875* | 0.17 | |
| — | $46,909* | $39,461 | $7,875* | 0.17 | |
| — | $34,665* | $38,368 | $6,650* | 0.19 | |
| — | $28,532* | $31,730 | $6,754* | 0.24 | |
| National Median | — | $41,414* | — | $7,706* | 0.19 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates
Locomotive Engineers
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Pile Driver Operators
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Logging Equipment Operators
Bus Drivers, School
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Amarillo College, approximately 44% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.