Ground Transportation at Northland Community and Technical College

Similar Ground Transportation programs in Minnesota typically produce first-year earnings around $48,000, but the four-year earnings figure of $41,907 here suggests a troubling income trajectory. Most careers show earnings growth over time, not decline, which raises questions about whether graduates are staying in the field or finding that entry-level positions offer better pay than what comes later.

With estimated debt around $9,300—slightly above both state and national medians for this credential—the immediate financial burden appears manageable. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 means graduates would owe less than three months' salary, which is reasonable for a certificate program. However, that calculation assumes the first-year earnings estimate holds true, and the actual four-year data tells a less optimistic story about income stability.

What makes this picture more uncertain is that top Minnesota programs like Central Lakes College report significantly higher outcomes—$64,000 versus the estimated $48,000 here. If you're considering this field, the substantial variation in Minnesota outcomes matters more than the modest debt load. Programs in this state clearly produce different results, and without reported data specific to Northland, you're essentially betting on where this program falls in that range based on peer institutions.