Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Fortis Institute-Scranton

Pennsylvania's electrical trade programs vary dramatically in outcomes, but this certificate appears positioned in the middle of the pack. Based on comparable programs statewide, graduates here can expect first-year earnings around $38,900 with approximately $9,500 in debt—a manageable 0.24 ratio that could be paid down within a year or two of focused effort. What's harder to assess is why the four-year earnings figure ($38,477) sits slightly below the first-year estimate, suggesting either stagnant wages or measurement quirks in the limited data available.

The real question for parents is whether this program can compete with Pennsylvania's stronger alternatives. Community College of Allegheny County's graduates earn nearly four times as much, though that outlier may reflect unionized positions in Pittsburgh's industrial sector. More realistic comparisons—YTI Career Institute or Thaddeus Stevens College—show first-year earnings only marginally higher, meaning Fortis Institute appears competitively priced for what similar Pennsylvania programs deliver. With 80% of students qualifying for Pell grants, the school clearly serves working-class families where $9,500 in debt matters.

The practical calculus: if your child can secure an apprenticeship or union position after completing this certificate, the investment pencils out reasonably well. Without those connections, however, the flat earnings trajectory becomes concerning. Ask the school directly about job placement rates and union partnerships before committing.