Ground Transportation at CET-Colton

CET-Colton's Ground Transportation certificate sits right at California's median for this field, but that tells only part of the story. While the program ranks in just the 24th percentile nationally—meaning three-quarters of similar programs produce higher earnings—it actually hits the 60th percentile among California programs. This gap reveals that California's ground transportation certificate programs generally underperform the national market, making CET-Colton average in a below-average state landscape.

The financial picture is straightforward: graduates carry modest debt of $6,650 and see steady earnings growth from $34,665 to $38,368 over four years. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross income, which is exceptional. Over half the students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves working-class families looking for quick workforce entry. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these numbers reliable.

For families seeking a low-cost pathway into transportation careers, this program delivers what it promises without creating financial hardship. Just understand that the earnings ceiling here is real—this certificate won't match what better-performing programs achieve, even within California. If your child can access one of the higher-performing alternatives like Advanced Career Institute, that might be worth exploring. But if geographic or timing constraints make CET-Colton the best option, the minimal debt keeps the downside risk manageable.