Location: Hazard, KY•In-State Tuition: $4,656•Out-of-State Tuition: $6,192
Median Earnings (1yr)
$43,818
61st percentile
60th percentile in Kentucky
Median Debt
$7,473
3% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.17 ManageableSample: 32 graduates

Analysis

At just over $7,400 in debt to launch a career paying nearly $44,000, Hazard Community and Technical College's Ground Transportation program offers one of the clearest return-on-investment propositions in vocational training. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17 means graduates owe roughly two months' salary—manageable debt that shouldn't prevent them from building financial stability quickly. With earnings landing at the 60th percentile among Kentucky's ground transportation programs, this performs solidly within the state's trucking and logistics training landscape.

The first-year salary of $43,818 exceeds the national median for these certificates by about $2,400, suggesting the program connects students to decent entry-level opportunities in Kentucky's transportation sector. That said, ground transportation earnings often plateau quickly, so graduates shouldn't expect dramatic salary growth over time. The moderate sample size indicates steady program enrollment, which usually means employers in the region actively hire these graduates.

For families seeking an affordable pathway to stable employment without a four-year commitment, this program delivers. The low debt burden is particularly important for the 37% of students receiving Pell grants, who often can't absorb financial mistakes. If your child wants to enter trucking or logistics and values immediate earnings over a traditional college experience, this represents a practical choice with minimal financial risk.

Where Hazard Community and Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally

Hazard Community and Technical CollegeOther ground transportation programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Hazard Community and Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Hazard Community and Technical College earns $44k — 61th percentile among ground transportation certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Ground Transportation certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Hazard Community and Technical CollegeHazard$4,656$43,818—$7,4730.17
Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park$2,328$74,114$60,000$5,7750.08
Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton$4,916$67,999$49,577$8,2500.12
Central Lakes College-BrainerdBrainerd$6,209$64,164$59,690$10,8460.17
Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh$4,842$59,330—$11,0000.19
Hagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown$4,320$53,495$47,311$4,7500.09
National Median—$41,414—$7,7060.19

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates

Locomotive Engineers

Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Pile Driver Operators

Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

$57,440/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Logging Equipment Operators

Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

$49,540/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, School

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 Hazard Community and Technical College, approximately 37% 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 32 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.