Ground Transportation at Johnson County Community College

Johnson County Community College's ground transportation certificate starts graduates at nearly $75,000—almost 80% above the national median for this field and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. With just $5,775 in typical debt, the initial return looks outstanding: graduates earn almost 13 times their debt in their first year alone. Among Kansas ground transportation programs, this sits right at the state median, suggesting strong regional market conditions for these graduates.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) warrants caution, but the concerning pattern is hard to ignore: earnings drop to $60,000 by year four, a 19% decline. This backward earnings trajectory is unusual for career-technical programs and suggests these initial positions may not lead to stable, long-term career paths in the field. It's unclear whether graduates are shifting to different roles, facing industry volatility, or encountering advancement barriers.

For parents, the low debt makes this a relatively safe bet—even if earnings decline, your child won't be carrying a heavy loan burden. But the earnings drop raises questions about career sustainability that deserve investigation. Before enrolling, talk to the program about what types of positions graduates typically take, why earnings might decline over time, and what alumni do to maintain or grow their income after those first few years.