Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Big Sandy Community and Technical College

This certificate program starts slow but demonstrates something unusual: graduates see their earnings jump 60% by year four, climbing from $31,178 to nearly $50,000. That's an impressive trajectory that suggests strong long-term career prospects in the electrical trades. The $9,000 debt load is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that should be easy to pay off once those later-year earnings kick in.

The concern is Kentucky context. At the 10th percentile statewide, this program significantly underperforms other Kentucky electrical training options—the state median sits at $47,698, and four other community colleges produce graduates earning $50,000-plus even in early career years. Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates, for instance, earn more than double what Big Sandy graduates make initially. This gap matters because these programs compete for similar students and lead to similar careers.

For families prioritizing immediate earnings or needing quick financial returns, this program's slow start is a real drawback. But if your student can afford the patience—perhaps through family support during those early years—the year-four outcomes approach respectability. Still, unless location constraints make Big Sandy the only viable option, exploring Kentucky's stronger-performing electrical programs would likely deliver better returns from day one.