Ground Transportation at Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois

This Ground Transportation program delivers mixed results that require careful consideration. While graduates earn about $36,200 in their first year with relatively low debt of $6,333, the concerning reality is that earnings actually decline by year four—a red flag for long-term career prospects. Among Illinois programs, this ranks right at the median (60th percentile), but it significantly underperforms the national average by about $5,000 annually.

The debt picture is manageable but not exceptional. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17, graduates can reasonably handle their loan payments. However, the program ranks in the 75th percentile nationally for debt, meaning three-quarters of similar programs leave students with less debt burden. The fact that 63% of students receive Pell grants suggests the program serves lower-income students who need strong employment outcomes.

Most troubling is the earnings trajectory compared to top Illinois programs. Graduates here earn $15,000-$20,000 less annually than those from Elgin Community College or Lincoln Land Community College in the same field. Unless your child has specific constraints requiring this particular school, exploring higher-performing alternatives in Illinois would likely provide better return on investment for a transportation career.