Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Lewis and Clark Community College

The electrical trades offer solid earning potential, but this program's estimated debt sits notably below what similar Illinois programs typically carry. Based on comparable associate's degree programs in electrical work nationwide, graduates can expect around $45,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $12,000 in debt—a manageable 0.27 ratio that suggests you could realistically pay off student loans within a year or two of careful budgeting.

What's striking is the contrast with Illinois norms. While this program's debt estimate comes in at $12,000, the state median for electrical programs sits at nearly $20,000. That $8,000 difference matters significantly when you're earning in the mid-$40,000 range. Even Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park, the only Illinois program with published outcomes, reports slightly lower first-year earnings at $40,000, making Lewis and Clark's lighter debt load even more advantageous.

The caveat here is real: these figures come from peer programs, not Lewis and Clark's actual graduates. Small class sizes mean the Department of Education suppresses this school's specific data. Still, the fundamentals look sound for a skilled trade with steady demand. Your child would likely enter the workforce with debt that's roughly a quarter of their first-year salary—a starting point that leaves room for financial stability while building toward the higher earnings that experienced electricians command.