Analysis
Louisiana's ground transportation programs cluster around $35,000 in first-year earnings, and Ayers Career College appears to fit this pattern based on data from peer programs statewide. With estimated debt around $6,300—giving you a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.2—this represents a modest financial commitment for entry into commercial driving. The 90% Pell Grant population suggests this school primarily serves students seeking practical pathways to immediate employment rather than traditional four-year tracks.
The challenge is that Louisiana programs lag behind the national median of $41,400 for ground transportation certificates. Other CDL programs in Shreveport report outcomes ranging from $25,000 to nearly $39,000, showing significant variation even within the same city. Without actual graduate data from Ayers specifically, it's difficult to know where this program falls in that range—though the low estimated debt figure is encouraging compared to some competitors charging considerably more.
For families evaluating this certificate, the core question is whether commercial driving meets your child's career goals at a price point that won't burden them long-term. The estimated numbers suggest manageable debt, but given the wide variation in Louisiana outcomes and the fact that these are projections rather than confirmed results, contact the school directly about job placement rates and whether their graduates are securing local versus long-haul positions, as compensation differs substantially between the two.
Where Ayers Career College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (5 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $35,588* | — | $6,344* | — | |
| — | $38,978* | $40,226 | $6,333* | 0.16 | |
| — | $35,588* | $35,133 | $6,333* | 0.18 | |
| $4,109 | $24,514* | $51,376 | —* | — | |
| 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 Ayers Career College, approximately 90% 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 3 similar programs in LA. Actual outcomes may vary.