Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Pima Community College

The estimated $7,416 debt load here falls comfortably below both the Arizona state median ($7,125) and the national median ($9,500) for this field, suggesting Pima keeps costs manageable for skilled trades training. With similar programs nationally producing first-year earnings around $38,716, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 indicates graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than three months of gross income—a favorable starting point for electrical work that typically grows with experience and licensing.

However, it's worth noting that Arizona's median for this credential sits at $35,084, about 10% below the national figure. This may reflect regional wage differences in Tucson's market or variations in specialization (power transmission versus residential electrical work, for instance). The single comparable program with reported data in Arizona shows earnings right at that state median, which suggests the national estimate might be optimistic for local conditions.

For parents, the key consideration is whether your student plans to stay in Arizona or pursue work elsewhere. The low debt burden reduces risk regardless, but if they're entering Tucson's electrical market, first-year earnings closer to $35,000 seem more realistic. That still produces a reasonable debt picture, though it means a slightly longer payback period than the estimates suggest.