Ground Transportation at East Arkansas Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
eacc.eduAnalysis
This certificate program sits squarely in the middle of Arkansas's ground transportation landscape, with estimated first-year earnings around $39,576—matching the state median but trailing competitors like Arkansas State University-Newport by roughly $6,400. The estimated $9,280 in debt translates to a manageable 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would theoretically owe about three months of their first year's salary. That's considerably better than the state median debt of $11,715, suggesting East Arkansas keeps credential costs in check even if it can't match the earning power of top programs.
The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates derived from similar programs across Arkansas and nationally—this school's actual graduate outcomes remain unpublished due to small sample sizes. The true picture could be better or worse. What we can say is that ground transportation credentials nationally command around $41,414, so the Arkansas market appears slightly softer than the national average. For families considering this path, the relatively low estimated debt provides some cushion against uncertainty, but you're betting on outcomes that mirror peer programs rather than proven results from this specific certificate.
Where East Arkansas Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,960 | $39,576* | — | $9,280* | — | |
| $2,856 | $45,980* | — | $11,715* | 0.25 | |
| $3,168 | $39,576* | — | —* | — | |
| $3,230 | $30,221* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $41,414* | — | $7,706* | 0.19 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates
Locomotive Engineers
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Pile Driver Operators
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Logging Equipment Operators
Bus Drivers, School
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At East Arkansas Community College, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in AR. Actual outcomes may vary.