Location: Newport, AR•In-State Tuition: $2,856•Out-of-State Tuition: $4,320
Median Earnings (1yr)
$45,980
71st percentile
60th percentile in Arkansas
Median Debt
$11,715
52% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.25 ManageableSample: 62 graduates

Analysis

Arkansas State University-Newport's Ground Transportation certificate produces graduates earning $45,980 their first year—roughly $6,000 more than the typical Arkansas program and $4,500 above the national median. In a state where the median for this credential sits at $39,576, ASU-Newport's premium reflects strong connections to regional trucking and logistics employers. The program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide and 71st percentile nationally, meaningful gaps that translate to real purchasing power in Newport's lower cost-of-living environment.

The financial structure works exceptionally well. At $11,715 in debt, students borrow about what the state median suggests is typical, but they're getting considerably better outcomes. That 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly three months' salary—manageable on a trucker's schedule. This combination of moderate debt and above-average earnings puts ASU-Newport ahead of every other Arkansas program tracked in the data.

For families needing a quick path to stable income, this certificate delivers. The earnings floor is respectable, the debt burden is reasonable, and completion timelines are measured in months rather than years. It's particularly viable for students who need to start earning quickly while keeping borrowing contained.

Where Arkansas State University-Newport Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally

Arkansas State University-NewportOther ground transportation programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Arkansas State University-Newport graduates compare to all programs nationally

Arkansas State University-Newport earns $46k — 71th percentile among ground transportation certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (7 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Arkansas State University-NewportNewport$2,856$45,980—$11,7150.25
North Arkansas CollegeHarrison$3,168$39,576———
Phillips Community College of the University of ArkansasHelena$3,230$30,221———
National Median—$41,414—$7,7060.19

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates

Locomotive Engineers

Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Pile Driver Operators

Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

$57,440/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Logging Equipment Operators

Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

$49,540/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, School

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 Arkansas State University-Newport, approximately 41% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 62 graduates with reported earnings and 56 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.