Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Galveston College

Texas State Technical College reports first-year earnings of $76,445 for this program—almost twice the national benchmark figure used to estimate Galveston College's outcomes. That's a significant gap worth understanding. Similar programs nationally suggest earnings around $44,727, while the $12,000 estimated debt level aligns with what community colleges typically charge for two-year technical programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable on paper at 0.27, but that calculation relies on the national estimate rather than Texas-specific outcomes. Since Texas programs generally produce much stronger earnings in this field—the state median is $76,445—you'd want to know whether Galveston's program connects graduates to the same electrical utility and power transmission employers that other Texas schools access. The wide variance in outcomes across the state suggests that employer pipelines and regional job markets matter enormously.

For a program serving 42% Pell-eligible students, the debt estimate seems manageable. But before committing, find out why this program's data is suppressed—whether it's genuinely due to small cohorts or whether graduates aren't staying in Texas where the higher-paying jobs are concentrated. Ask the school directly about graduate job placement with companies like CenterPoint Energy, Oncor, or Texas power utilities, and how their outcomes compare to peers like Texas State Technical College.