Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Salt Lake Community College

The estimated $12,000 in debt against first-year earnings around $45,000 suggests a manageable financial picture for this trade program, though both figures come from comparable programs nationally rather than Salt Lake Community College's actual graduate outcomes. Electrical and power transmission work is skilled trade territory, where credentials matter less than hands and competency, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 falls well below the concerning threshold of 1.0.

What's harder to gauge is whether Salt Lake Community College's specific program delivers value compared to alternatives. With four schools offering this credential in Utah but none reporting actual outcomes data, you're essentially flying blind on how this program stacks up locally. The national median suggests steady, middle-class earnings potential—electrical work pays reliably—but peer programs nationally show a wide range, with top performers reaching nearly $55,000 in first-year earnings. That $10,000 gap matters when you're starting a career.

The practical question is whether an associate's degree is the right path into this field versus apprenticeships or shorter certificate programs that might cost less and get your child earning sooner. If Salt Lake Community College has strong employer partnerships or hands-on training that leads directly to union positions or utility jobs, the investment makes sense. Without those connections visible, you're betting on general program quality rather than proven placement outcomes.