Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Brookdale Community College

In New Jersey's electrical trades, programs often show volatile outcomes—but comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $44,700 with manageable debt near $12,000. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio would be respectable for a two-year technical credential, though it's worth noting these figures come from peer programs nationwide rather than Brookdale's actual graduate outcomes.

The challenge here is the limited visibility. With only three programs in New Jersey offering this credential, and Lincoln Technical Institute-Iselin reporting lower first-year earnings of $37,500, there's substantial variation in how these programs perform. If Brookdale's outcomes follow the national pattern rather than the state median, students could see roughly $7,000 more in first-year earnings than other New Jersey graduates—but that's speculation based on broader trends, not tracked data from this specific program.

For parents evaluating this investment, the estimated debt load seems reasonable for an associate's degree in a skilled trade, but the lack of program-specific data means you're essentially betting on Brookdale's career placement and curriculum quality without concrete evidence. Before enrolling, request job placement rates and starting salaries for recent graduates directly from the program, and consider whether apprenticeship pathways or other credentialed routes into electrical work might offer more transparent outcomes data.