Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies at Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County

Skilled trades programs like this one typically deliver strong financial returns, and the estimated figures here suggest this heavy equipment program follows that pattern. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates appear to earn around $55,500 in their first year while carrying roughly $11,900 in debt—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 that falls well within the range most financial aid experts consider manageable. That's less than three months of gross pay to cover the full cost of the credential.

The challenge for parents is that these are estimates drawn from peer programs, not actual outcomes from this specific school. With only four schools in Ohio offering this associate's degree, the comparison set is limited. What we do know is that heavy equipment maintenance tends to be recession-resistant work—construction, agriculture, and manufacturing always need technicians who can keep machinery running. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (16%) might suggest this program attracts students who already have industry connections or financial resources, though that's speculative.

The practical calculus here: if your child is mechanically inclined and interested in this work, a debt load under $12,000 for training that leads to $55,000-plus starting salaries represents a solid investment based on how similar programs perform. The uncertainty around these specific estimates means you'll want to talk directly with the school about job placement rates and local employer partnerships before committing.