Ground Transportation at Illinois Valley Community College

Illinois Valley's Ground Transportation certificate raises questions about returns relative to the field's potential. While the estimated debt load of $5,500 is manageable—producing a favorable 0.15 debt-to-earnings ratio—the projected first-year earnings of $36,234 fall well short of the $41,414 national median for these programs. More concerning, comparable programs in Illinois show a wide performance gap: Elgin Community College graduates earn an estimated $51,945, nearly 43% more than what similar programs in the state suggest Illinois Valley graduates might expect.

The stakes here matter because ground transportation is traditionally a solid middle-class path. Nationally, three-quarters of programs produce first-year earnings above $46,909, suggesting that stronger programs consistently launch graduates into decent-paying roles. The estimated earnings here place Illinois Valley closer to the bottom tier of Illinois programs, alongside schools where outcomes hover in the low-to-mid $20,000s rather than those consistently breaking $40,000.

For families, the low debt is a genuine advantage—it means limited downside risk even if earnings disappoint. But if transportation and logistics careers are the goal, the gap between this program and top-performing Illinois community colleges suggests exploring options at Elgin, Lincoln Land, or other schools where peer outcomes indicate substantially better earnings trajectories. The modest investment won't burden your child, but it also may not deliver the income that this field typically provides elsewhere in the state.