Ground Transportation at Central New Mexico Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
cnm.eduAnalysis
The debt-to-earnings ratio here—$9,280 in loans against $41,414 in first-year income—falls within reasonable bounds for a short-term certificate, though both figures come from national peer programs rather than Central New Mexico's actual outcomes. Transportation and logistics training typically leads to steady work, and the four-year earnings figure of $48,457 suggests modest income growth over time. However, without knowing the specific certificates this program offers (CDL training? logistics coordination? something else?), it's difficult to gauge whether these estimates match what your child would actually earn.
The challenge is that New Mexico has seven schools offering ground transportation programs, yet none report complete data—making it hard to know if regional job markets support these credentials differently than the national average suggests. The estimated debt sits about $1,600 above the national median for similar programs, which isn't dramatic but bears watching if your child needs additional loans for living expenses. At 26% Pell enrollment, this school serves a less economically disadvantaged population than many community colleges, which may or may not correlate with program quality.
Before committing, you need specifics this data can't provide: What exact credentials does this certificate include? Do local employers recognize Central New Mexico's program? What's the job placement rate? The numbers suggest a manageable investment, but only if the training actually leads to the work these estimates assume.
Where Central New Mexico Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | — | $48,457 | — |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | $41,081 | $63,256 | +54% |
| Johnson County Community College | $74,114 | $60,000 | -19% |
| Central Lakes College-Brainerd | $64,164 | $59,690 | -7% |
| Elgin Community College | $51,945 | $56,296 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,934 | $41,414* | $48,457 | $9,280* | — | |
| $2,328 | $74,114* | $60,000 | $5,775* | 0.08 | |
| $4,916 | $67,999* | $49,577 | $8,250* | 0.12 | |
| $6,209 | $64,164* | $59,690 | $10,846* | 0.17 | |
| $4,842 | $59,330* | — | $11,000* | 0.19 | |
| $4,320 | $53,495* | $47,311 | $4,750* | 0.09 | |
| National Median | — | $41,414* | — | $7,706* | 0.19 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates
Locomotive Engineers
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Pile Driver Operators
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Logging Equipment Operators
Bus Drivers, School
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central New Mexico Community College, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 94 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.