Ground Transportation at Hinds Community College

This certificate puts graduates roughly $8,000 below the national median for ground transportation programs, landing in just the 16th percentile nationally. While it performs closer to the middle of the pack among Mississippi's 11 programs (40th percentile), that's a low bar—even the state median of $34,383 trails the national figure by $7,000. Nearby Meridian Community College produces graduates earning $6,200 more annually, suggesting better training or industry connections elsewhere in the state.

The $9,700 debt load is manageable on paper—about 30% of first-year earnings—but the trajectory is troubling. Graduates actually see earnings decline by 5% between years one and four, dropping to $30,887. That's unusual for career-focused technical training and suggests either limited advancement opportunities or high turnover in the roles these graduates are securing. With 38% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on immediate earnings growth that isn't materializing.

For families specifically interested in commercial driving or logistics careers, explore what makes Meridian's program deliver $6,000+ higher earnings. That difference amounts to roughly $24,000 over four years—enough to offset any additional commuting costs and then some. If Hinds is the only viable option geographically, graduates should plan for starting wages around $31,000 and potentially stagnant income in the near term.