Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,532
Est. from national median (29 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$11,875
Est. from national median (12 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 suggests manageable financial risk, though the figures here deserve scrutiny. Since this specific program lacks reportable graduate data, we're relying on national benchmarks from similar heavy equipment programs—and those suggest first-year earnings around $55,500 against roughly $11,900 in debt. That's a reasonable starting point for skilled trades, but Georgia's technical colleges show considerable variation. Two comparable programs in the state report actual outcomes ranging from $53,400 to nearly $63,000, indicating that institutional differences matter.

The challenge with estimates is they can't capture what makes one program more effective than another—differences in employer connections, equipment quality, or placement support. Oconee Fall Line serves a majority economically disadvantaged student population, which speaks to accessibility, but without concrete outcomes data, you're making this decision somewhat blind. The debt load appears modest enough that even if earnings land on the lower end of the state range, graduates shouldn't face overwhelming repayment burdens.

For a hands-on technical field like heavy equipment maintenance, your best move is contacting the school directly about job placement rates and specific employer partnerships in the Sandersville area. The estimated numbers suggest viability, but actual graduate outcomes would tell you whether this program delivers on that promise.

Where Oconee Fall Line Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies associates's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Oconee Fall Line Technical CollegeSandersville$3,201$55,532*—$11,875*—
Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome$3,132$62,982*$67,822—*—
South Georgia Technical CollegeAmericus$3,782$53,379*——*—
National Median—$55,532*—$12,000*0.22
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies graduates

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

$106,580/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Millwrights

Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

$62,740/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Car Repairers

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

$62,740/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

$62,580/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.

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 Oconee Fall Line Technical College, approximately 52% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.