Ground Transportation at New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island

This Ground Transportation program delivers exceptional value, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings while keeping debt remarkably low. With first-year median earnings of $51,761—about $10,000 above the national average for similar programs—graduates typically earn back their modest $6,333 debt burden in less than two months. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12 is outstanding, meaning students borrow just 12 cents for every dollar they'll earn in their first year.

However, there's an important caveat: earnings actually decline by 5% between years one and four, dropping to $48,899. This unusual pattern suggests the trucking industry may offer strong entry-level wages that don't grow significantly over time, or that some graduates may transition to different roles. Despite this decline, fourth-year earnings still exceed the national first-year average for this field.

The program serves a predominantly working-class population (77% receive Pell grants) and provides a genuine pathway to middle-class earnings with minimal debt. For a student interested in transportation careers and wanting to start earning quickly without taking on significant educational debt, this represents an excellent return on investment—just be aware that wage growth may be limited.