Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Piedmont Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 would typically signal a strong return on investment, but the caution here is that both figures are national estimates—not actual outcomes from Piedmont's program. Similar electrical and power transmission programs across the country suggest first-year earnings around $38,700 with roughly $7,400 in debt. However, North Carolina's median for this field tells a different story: $52,474, significantly higher than the national baseline. Nash Community College, the only NC school with reported data, hits that state median exactly, raising questions about whether Piedmont's program can compete locally or if its graduates face different market conditions in the Roxboro area.

The disconnect between national and state benchmarks matters practically. If Piedmont's graduates earn closer to the NC median, this certificate becomes an excellent value—modest debt against solid wages in a skilled trade. If they track closer to the national figure, they're still managing debt comfortably but missing out on $14,000 annually compared to peers elsewhere in the state. The program serves a substantial number of Pell-eligible students (29%), suggesting it's accessible to working-class families, but without school-specific data, you're essentially betting on Piedmont's local employer connections and curriculum quality.

Before committing, contact Piedmont directly for their actual graduate outcomes and job placement rates. The numbers could work beautifully—or reveal a program that underperforms its state competition.