Ground Transportation at CET-Soledad

CET-Soledad's Ground Transportation program sits right at California's median for earnings—$34,665 in the first year—which sounds modest until you consider the 60th percentile state ranking and the minimal debt load of just $6,650. While the program trails the $41,414 national median by roughly $7,000 annually, it actually outperforms more than half of California's ground transportation programs, a meaningful distinction in a state where cost of living runs high. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in under a year of focused effort, assuming they don't face major competing expenses.

The 11% earnings growth to $38,368 by year four suggests steady career progression rather than rapid advancement, and the national 24th percentile ranking confirms this isn't a high-earning track compared to programs in other states. However, context matters: Soledad is in Monterey County's agricultural corridor, where commercial driving and logistics jobs may offer different pay scales than urban centers. For students already in the region who need quick workforce entry, the low debt makes this program relatively low-risk.

The bottom line: If your child needs a fast credential with minimal borrowing and realistic local job prospects, this works. If they're chasing higher earnings potential in ground transportation, they'd need to look elsewhere—though not necessarily at other California schools, which mostly deliver similar outcomes.