Location: Athens, GA•In-State Tuition: $3,172•Out-of-State Tuition: $5,572
Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,571
47th percentile
60th percentile in Georgia
Median Debt
$9,500
23% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.23 ManageableSample: 27 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Athens Technical College's Ground Transportation certificate comes with a significant caveat: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers may not reflect your child's likely outcome. That said, the program shows decent positioning within Georgia—beating the state median by nearly $3,000 and landing in the 60th percentile among Georgia's 21 ground transportation programs. The debt load of $9,500 is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in under three months of gross earnings.

The challenge is that stronger programs exist in-state. Miller-Motte College-Augusta graduates earn about $6,300 more annually, while several technical colleges (Wiregrass, Central Georgia, West Georgia) show earnings in the $43,000-$46,000 range. That gap matters when you're talking about entry-level transportation careers where every few thousand dollars significantly impacts quality of life.

For families seeking the most affordable credential in this field, Athens Tech delivers low debt with respectable outcomes for Georgia. But if your child can access one of the higher-performing technical colleges—particularly if they're geographically closer or offer better financial aid—those programs show measurably better earning potential. The small sample size makes this a riskier bet than programs with more established track records.

Where Athens Technical College Stands

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

Athens Technical CollegeOther ground transportation programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Athens Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Athens Technical College earns $41k — 47th percentile among ground transportation certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Athens Technical CollegeAthens$3,172$40,571—$9,5000.23
Miller-Motte College-AugustaAugusta—$46,909$39,461$7,8750.17
Wiregrass Georgia Technical CollegeValdosta$3,212$45,696—$8,2720.18
Central Georgia Technical CollegeWarner Robins$3,180$43,652$47,808——
West Georgia Technical CollegeWaco$3,122$43,072$52,419$9,5000.22
South Georgia Technical CollegeAmericus$3,782$42,551—$9,5000.22
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 Athens Technical College, approximately 35% 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 27 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.