Analysis
At $47,287 in first-year earnings, Hamrick School's ground transportation program outperforms 77% of similar programs nationally and 60% within Ohio—where the state median sits at $40,922. More importantly, graduates leave with just $6,333 in debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13 that most four-year degree holders would envy. This is essentially a six-month payback period on educational investment, assuming graduates put 10% of earnings toward debt. The program ranks near Warren County Career Center ($44,616) among Ohio's top ground transportation certificates, but Hamrick's lower debt load gives it a clear edge in return on investment.
The one concern is the slight earnings dip to $46,726 by year four, though this 1% decline is negligible and could reflect anything from industry-wide wage patterns to where graduates choose to work. What matters more is that even after four years, earnings remain well above both state and national medians. With strong sample size backing these numbers, this program represents a low-risk entry point into transportation careers—particularly valuable for students wanting to avoid the debt burden of longer degree programs while still achieving above-average wages in a stable field.
Where Hamrick School Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Hamrick School graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamrick School | $47,287 | $46,726 | -1% |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | $41,081 | $63,256 | +54% |
| Johnson County Community College | $74,114 | $60,000 | -19% |
| Central Lakes College-Brainerd | $64,164 | $59,690 | -7% |
| Mid-EastCTC-Adult Education | $37,227 | $40,362 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hamrick SchoolMedina | — | $47,287 | $46,726 | $6,333 | 0.13 |
 Warren County Career CenterLebanon | — | $44,616 | — | — | — |
 Mid-EastCTC-Adult EducationZanesville | — | $37,227 | $40,362 | $6,333 | 0.17 |
 Fortis College-Cuyahoga FallsCuyahoga Falls | $14,050 | $30,416 | — | $6,333 | 0.21 |
| 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 Hamrick School, approximately 15% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 124 graduates with reported earnings and 136 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.