Analysis
A debt load around $12,000 for an associate's degree in electrical work represents a manageable starting point, particularly when national benchmarks suggest first-year earnings in the mid-$40,000s. Based on comparable programs nationwide, graduates typically earn enough to keep their debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.3โa threshold that makes monthly payments feasible even on an entry-level salary. For skilled trades like electrical installation, this kind of debt burden shouldn't create the financial stress you'd see with higher-cost programs.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With only two schools in Florida offering this program and no publicly reported outcomes for either, you're operating without concrete evidence of what Lake-Sumter State College graduates actually achieve. National medians suggest this field offers solid middle-class earning potential, with top programs reaching nearly $55,000 in first-year earnings. But whether this specific program connects students to apprenticeships, union opportunities, or Florida's growing construction and renewable energy sectors remains unclear. The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, which signals accessibility, but doesn't tell you about job placement rates or employer relationships.
Before committing, contact the program directly about graduate employment outcomes and local hiring patterns. Electrical work offers genuine career stability, but success depends heavily on where and how a program prepares students for licensure and connects them to employers.
Where Lake-Sumter State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical and power transmission installers associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,292 | $44,727* | โ | $12,000* | โ | |
| $5,594 | $99,033* | $125,010 | โ* | โ | |
| $6,990 | $95,230* | โ | โ* | โ | |
| $4,912 | $80,734* | $90,478 | $10,262* | 0.13 | |
| $7,192 | $76,445* | $96,478 | $11,668* | 0.15 | |
| $2,552 | $73,774* | $94,294 | $11,000* | 0.15 | |
| National Median | โ | $44,727* | โ | $12,748* | 0.29 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical and power transmission installers graduates
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Electricians
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Solar Energy Installation Managers
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
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 Lake-Sumter State College, approximately 30% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 51 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.