Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Centura College-Virginia Beach

The $20,928 first-year earnings from Centura College-Virginia Beach's electrical program is alarming—less than half what the typical Virginia graduate in this field earns ($34,439) and barely a third of what graduates from Danville Community College make ($62,468). This places in the bottom 10th percentile among Virginia's electrical programs, despite serving a predominantly lower-income student body (71% Pell recipients) who desperately need strong employment outcomes.

The debt burden compounds the problem. While the $14,750 owed matches Virginia's median for these programs, it represents 70% of first-year earnings—a concerning ratio when graduates are making barely above minimum wage. Other Virginia programs demonstrate what's possible: Danville Community College graduates earn three times as much, meaning their debt becomes manageable within months rather than years.

These aren't normal starting wages for electrical work, which typically pays well even at entry level. Something is fundamentally broken here—whether it's employer connections, training quality, or credential recognition. With Virginia community colleges producing graduates who earn $15,000-$41,000 more annually from similar programs, there's no reason to accept this outcome. Look at the state's community college options first, where your child will likely pay less and earn significantly more.