Ground Transportation at CET-Santa Maria

CET-Santa Maria's Ground Transportation certificate sits right at the California median for earnings, but that's actually a problem—the entire state lags significantly behind the national average of $41,414 for this credential. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile among California schools, graduates earn about $7,000 less annually than the typical ground transportation certificate holder nationwide.

The bright spot is manageable debt. At $6,650, students take on relatively little financial risk, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.19—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off the loan in under three months of earnings. The 11% earnings growth over four years shows some upward trajectory, though graduates still trail national benchmarks even four years out at $38,368.

For families considering this program, the calculus depends on alternatives. If your student can access similar programs in other states or broader transportation credentials that command higher pay, those deserve serious attention. But if staying in Santa Maria is necessary and immediate employment matters more than maximizing earnings, the low debt makes this less risky than many certificate programs. Just understand you're trading entry into the workforce quickly for earnings that will likely remain below what ground transportation workers make in most other parts of the country.