Ground Transportation at Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville

This ground transportation program delivers solid initial earnings that outperform most national competitors, but the troubling earnings decline over time is a significant red flag. Graduates earn $46,909 in their first year—ranking in the 75th percentile nationally and matching the state median among North Carolina's eight programs. The debt load of $7,875 is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17.

However, the major concern is that earnings drop 16% to just $39,461 by year four, which is unusual for most career paths that typically show growth over time. This "early peak" pattern suggests graduates may be hitting a career ceiling quickly or facing industry challenges that limit advancement. Among NC programs, this school ties with other Miller-Motte campuses for top earnings but ranks in the middle of the pack statewide at the 60th percentile.

The bottom line: while this program offers strong immediate job prospects and manageable debt, your child should understand they're likely looking at peak earnings right out of the gate. If they're comfortable with steady work in the $40K range rather than a growing career trajectory, this could work. But if long-term earning potential matters, they should carefully research why salaries decline in this field and consider whether other career paths might offer better growth prospects.