Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Bridgerland Technical College

This electrical certificate program carries an estimated debt load of just $7,416—well below the national median of $9,500 for similar programs—which would normally signal solid value. However, the estimated first-year earnings of $38,716 fall dramatically short of what other Utah programs are producing. Ogden-Weber Technical College, the only Utah school with reported data, shows graduates earning $57,750, nearly 50% more than what peer programs nationally suggest for Bridgerland's outcomes.

That $19,000 gap matters enormously for a trades credential. Electrical work in Utah clearly pays well—the state median sits at $57,750—so the question becomes whether Bridgerland's program connects graduates to those higher-paying opportunities or channels them toward lower-tier positions. The light debt makes this less risky than many programs, but you'd be looking at roughly six months of gross income to clear the loans versus three months at the Utah benchmark.

Before committing, directly ask Bridgerland what percentage of their electrical graduates find work with utility companies or in commercial/industrial settings versus residential or lower-wage electrical roles. The difference between the state's typical outcomes and what comparable national programs suggest is too large to ignore. If this program can demonstrate placement rates similar to Ogden-Weber's, it could be worthwhile; if not, the debt advantage doesn't compensate for potentially starting $19,000 behind other Utah graduates.