Ground Transportation at Sheridan Technical College

The national median for ground transportation certificate programs—$41,414 in first-year earnings—provides a useful baseline here, though it's worth noting this specific program lacks reported outcomes due to small graduate cohorts. That figure, if it holds at Sheridan Technical College, would position graduates roughly $7,000 ahead of what similar programs in Florida typically deliver, where the state median sits at just $34,562.

The estimated debt load of $9,280 translates to a manageable 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about a quarter of their first-year income. That's well below the concerning threshold of 1.0 and suggests the certificate could pay for itself relatively quickly—assuming earnings align with national peers rather than Florida's lower state average. The gap between national and state figures for ground transportation programs is significant enough to matter: if this program tracks closer to Florida norms, the value proposition weakens considerably.

With only 27% of students receiving Pell grants—lower than many certificate programs—Sheridan may serve a less financially vulnerable population, but that doesn't eliminate the risk of overpaying for a credential in a state where transportation employers often pay less than the national standard. Your best move is confirming what local employers actually pay for these roles and whether Sheridan's specific connections justify choosing it over alternatives like Florida State College at Jacksonville, which reports outcomes in line with state medians.