Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Lewis and Clark Community College

Similar electrical and power transmission programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—a figure that trails the national median by roughly $3,700. While that gap matters, the estimated debt load of $7,416 keeps this certificate squarely in manageable territory. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 means graduates would owe about two-and-a-half months of gross income, making this one of the more financially sensible credentials in the trades.

The challenge is that Illinois-based programs in this field show enormous variation in outcomes. Some schools report graduates earning over $140,000 within a year, while others hover around $32,000. Without actual data from Lewis and Clark specifically, parents can't know where this program falls on that spectrum. What we do know: the estimated debt is lower than both state and national medians, which provides some cushion if earnings disappoint.

For families considering this certificate, the fundamentals look sound—low debt for a credential that should lead to steady work. But given the wide range of outcomes across Illinois programs, it's worth investigating what distinguishes the higher-earning graduates. Are they landing union positions? Working for utilities versus contractors? Those details matter more than the credential itself when programs across the state produce such different results.