Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

Kennedy-King's electrical installation program produces first-year earnings of $142,516—nearly four times the national median for this credential and well above every comparable program in Illinois. While the debt figure of roughly $7,400 is an estimate based on similar certificate programs nationwide, the earnings here are actual reported outcomes. That translates to a debt burden you could reasonably pay off in weeks, not years, assuming these extraordinarily high numbers hold.

The crucial question is whether these earnings reflect typical outcomes or statistical noise from a small graduating class (which is why the debt data was suppressed). Most electrical installation certificates in Illinois produce first-year earnings between $32,000 and $36,000—solid returns, but nowhere near six figures. The program serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (38%), suggesting it's accessible to families across income levels, but the small sample size makes it impossible to know if these results are consistent year over year.

If these earnings represent a genuine pattern—perhaps graduates are moving directly into specialized union positions in Chicago's construction market—this program is an exceptional value. But given the uncertainty around sample size, parents should verify recent graduate outcomes directly with the school before assuming six-figure starting salaries are typical. The debt estimate suggests minimal financial risk, but the earnings premium needs confirmation before you can count on it.