Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Big Bend Community College

The stark gap between comparable Washington programs and this estimated outcome should concern anyone considering this path. While similar electrical programs across the state typically produce median earnings of $62,192 in the first year—with Spokane Community College graduates earning nearly $67,000—peer programs nationally suggest Big Bend's certificate might land students closer to $38,700. That's a $23,000 difference that fundamentally changes the value equation for a trades credential designed to launch you into a stable career.

The estimated debt load of $7,400 is manageable in absolute terms, yielding a favorable 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio even at the lower national figure. But context matters: if Washington's electrical installation market typically pays new workers 60% more than the national average, something significant may be missing from this program—whether it's the specific licensing prep, industry connections, or hands-on training hours that other state programs provide. The modest Pell grant enrollment (29%) suggests this isn't primarily serving the state's lower-income students who might most benefit from a quick path to trades work.

Before committing, your family needs to understand why this program's expected outcomes diverge so dramatically from Washington norms. Contact the school directly to learn about their job placement rates, what credentials graduates actually earn, and where alumni work. If they're placing students into the same regional employers as Spokane or Perry Tech, these estimates may be overly pessimistic—but without that confirmation, you're betting on an outlier.