Ground Transportation at Bates Technical College

This program's debt-to-earnings picture looks manageable, but the figures come with a caveat: both the first-year earnings estimate ($41,414) and debt figure ($9,280) are derived from national peer programs, not actual outcomes from Bates graduates. The estimated debt load is slightly higher than what similar Washington programs typically carry ($7,600 median), though the ratio of 0.22 suggests graduates would need less than three months of gross income to cover their borrowing. What's more telling is the four-year earnings figure of $57,115—a substantial jump that indicates real wage growth potential in this field.

The challenge is that ground transportation programs in Washington show wide variation. The state median sits at $36,783, considerably below the national figure this estimate is based on. Whether Bates graduates track closer to national patterns or fall in line with Washington's lower median makes a significant difference in affordability. With only 9% of students receiving Pell grants, this program may attract students with alternative funding sources, which could explain the slightly higher debt estimate.

If your child is serious about a career in ground transportation and has researched local job prospects, the debt burden appears reasonable regardless of which earnings scenario plays out. But given the uncertainty in the estimates and Washington's below-average outcomes in this field, confirm what specific credential this leads to and what employers in the Tacoma area actually pay for entry-level positions.