Ground Transportation (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute

Analysis

This ground transportation program delivers strong initial earnings but shows a concerning pattern that demands careful consideration. While graduates earn $46,909 in their first year—ranking in the 75th percentile nationally and significantly above both national ($41,414) and Pennsylvania medians ($43,415)—earnings actually decline to $39,461 by year four, a troubling 16% drop that suggests limited career advancement opportunities.

The debt picture is reasonable with $7,875 in median borrowing, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17. However, this is slightly above Pennsylvania's median debt for similar programs ($6,333), meaning students are paying more than peers at other state schools for comparable training. Among Pennsylvania's 18 ground transportation programs, this one ranks solidly in the middle (60th percentile), with Community College of Allegheny County offering substantially higher earnings potential at $59,330.

The earnings decline after graduation is particularly concerning for long-term financial stability. While the program provides immediate job-ready skills and decent starting pay, the negative growth trajectory suggests graduates may hit an early career ceiling. Given the robust sample size of 100+ graduates, these figures are reliable indicators of program outcomes, making this investment questionable compared to alternatives within Pennsylvania's market.

Where Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute	$46,909	$39,461	-16%
New Castle School of Trades	$41,747	$47,194	+13%
Fortis Institute-Scranton	$46,797	$46,186	-1%
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh	$43,160	$44,787	+4%
All-State Career School	$43,092	$44,703	+4%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (18 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical InstituteWyomissing	—	$46,909	$39,461	$7,875	0.17
Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh	$4,842	$59,330	—	$11,000	0.19
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute-AllentownAllentown	—	$46,909	$39,461	$7,875	0.17
Fortis Institute-ScrantonScranton	$14,444	$46,797	$46,186	$6,333	0.14
Rosedale Technical CollegePittsburgh	$16,700	$43,415	$38,458	$3,325	0.08
All-State Career School-PittsburghWest Mifflin	—	$43,160	$44,787	$6,333	0.15
National Median	—	$41,414	—	$7,706	0.19

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates

Locomotive Engineers

Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

$75,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Pile Driver Operators

Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

$58,320/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

$57,440/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Logging Equipment Operators

Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

$49,540/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, School

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

$48,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

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 Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute, approximately 53% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 615 graduates with reported earnings and 499 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.