Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Manhattan Area Technical College

Manhattan Area Technical College's electrical program punches well above its weight class. With first-year earnings of $50,897 climbing to $63,572 by year four, graduates here earn more than 82% of their peers nationally—an impressive showing for a certificate program. While we're estimating the debt figure at $9,500 based on similar Kansas technical programs, that debt load would represent just 19% of first-year income, making repayment straightforward even if actual borrowing runs slightly higher.

The earnings trajectory tells the stronger story. That 25% jump from year one to year four suggests graduates are building marketable skills that translate into either raises or better positions in the power transmission field. Peer programs in Kansas vary dramatically—from Pratt Community College's $57,103 grads to Washburn's $37,254—but Manhattan's outcomes land in the upper half statewide and far exceed the $38,716 national median for this credential.

For families considering this route, the numbers suggest solid footing: strong starting pay in a field with room for growth, and manageable debt that shouldn't derail other financial goals. The main uncertainty is whether your specific debt will track close to that state estimate, but even if it runs a few thousand higher, the earnings advantage over typical programs should absorb the difference.