Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians at Cloud County Community College

Cloud County Community College's mechanic training program punches well above its weight nationally, placing graduates in the 95th percentile for earnings compared to similar programs across the country. That $64,000 first-year median significantly outpaces the national average of $46,400 for this credential, and earnings jump to nearly $85,000 by year four—a 32% increase that suggests real career progression rather than a dead-end job.

The $8,000 in typical debt is remarkably manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.13. Your child would owe roughly six weeks of their first-year salary, which is exceptional for any program. While Kansas has limited comparable programs (only three schools offer this certificate statewide), Cloud County holds its own at the 60th percentile within the state, meaning graduates earn more than typical Kansas mechanics despite the program's small-town location.

The combination here is hard to beat: minimal debt, strong immediate earnings, and consistent income growth. For a student interested in skilled trades, this represents a low-risk path to solid middle-class earnings within a year of completing the program. The moderate sample size suggests steady enrollment without being so small that the data becomes unreliable.