2026 ROI Award Winner
Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,300
71st percentile
Median Debt
$9,500
At national median

Analysis

Industrial Management Training Institute's plumbing certificate delivers strong earnings at remarkably low debt—a combination that makes it stand out even in a field known for solid returns. Starting at $42,300 and climbing to $48,388 by year four, graduates earn above the national median for plumbing programs while carrying just $9,500 in debt. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates owe about two months' salary—manageable by any standard.

Within Connecticut, where only three schools offer plumbing certificates, this program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings, essentially matching the state median. Nationally, it performs even better, landing in the 71st percentile. The 14% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates build valuable experience and credentials that translate to higher pay. At 5th percentile for debt nationally, this is one of the least expensive paths to certification in the field.

For parents weighing trade school options, this program offers what matters most: quick entry to steady work without burying your child in debt. The low Pell grant rate (13%) might reflect the program's affordability rather than its demographics. With Connecticut's construction and maintenance sectors consistently needing skilled tradespeople, this certificate provides practical training for an occupation where you can earn a living wage from day one and grow from there.

Where Industrial Management Training Institute Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all plumbing certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Industrial Management Training Institute graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Industrial Management Training Institute$42,300$48,388+14%
Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS$30,184$44,697+48%
Pennco Tech-Bristol$31,668$43,261+37%
Sheridan Technical College$35,066$39,553+13%
Apex Technical School$29,497$37,163+26%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Plumbing certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Industrial Management Training InstituteWaterbury$42,300$48,388$9,5000.22
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King CollegeChicago$4,380$82,055$6,7260.08
Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton$4,916$79,589
Emily Griffith Technical CollegeDenver$63,386$6,5000.10
St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeSaint Cloud$4,957$44,240
Ranken Technical CollegeSaint Louis$17,490$43,556$36,627$6,5000.15
National Median$35,252$9,5000.27

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with plumbing graduates

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

$62,970/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

$62,970/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

$52,610/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

$52,610/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Solar Energy Installation Managers

Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.

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 Industrial Management Training Institute, approximately 13% 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 36 graduates with reported earnings and 33 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.