Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Delta Technical College-Mississippi

Delta Technical College's electrical and power transmission program starts graduates at $34,080—roughly $10,000 below Mississippi's state median and in the bottom quarter of similar programs statewide. This is particularly concerning given that Mississippi itself isn't known for high wages. East Mississippi Community College, offering the same credential, places graduates at nearly $54,000 in their first year, demonstrating that significantly better outcomes are available within the state.

The bright spot here is manageable debt. At $13,000, it's below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.4—meaning graduates can theoretically pay off their loans with less than five months of gross income. The 23% earnings growth to $41,901 by year four also suggests the credential provides a foundation for advancement. For a program serving 83% Pell-eligible students, keeping debt low matters.

However, the core value question remains: why pay for training that leads to below-market wages in a field where better-paying alternatives exist in-state? If your child has access to programs like East Mississippi Community College or other options ranking higher than the 25th percentile statewide, the extra effort to attend those programs could mean starting nearly $20,000 higher annually. The low debt here softens the downside, but it doesn't change the opportunity cost of settling for bottom-tier earnings in a skilled trade.