Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Johnson County Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 looks manageable on paper, but the earnings estimate here—$44,727—falls notably short of what's typical for this field in Kansas. Similar electrical and power transmission programs across the state produce median first-year earnings around $57,325, creating a gap of nearly $13,000 that would persist through the early career years when debt repayment matters most. Since both the debt and earnings figures are estimated from peer programs nationally rather than Johnson County's actual outcomes, it's worth noting that Kansas programs generally outperform the national median significantly in this field.

The $12,000 estimated debt load is reasonable for an associate degree, but the real concern is whether this particular program connects graduates to the higher-paying opportunities that exist elsewhere in the state. Trade-focused technical programs can vary widely in their industry connections and placement support, which directly affects starting wages. The fact that Johnson County's data is suppressed due to small cohort sizes might suggest limited enrollment or newer program infrastructure, both of which can impact outcomes.

Given the substantial earnings gap between the estimated figure here and what Kansas employers typically pay for this skillset, parents should investigate whether Johnson County has specific partnerships with local utilities or contractors that might close this gap. If the program can't demonstrate clear pathways to those higher-wage positions, similar programs at other Kansas community colleges appear to offer stronger financial returns for graduates entering this field.