Ground Transportation at South Georgia Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
southgatech.eduAnalysis
South Georgia Technical College's Ground Transportation certificate produces modest but reasonably solid outcomes, though a small graduating class means these numbers could shift considerably year to year. At $42,551 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $5,000 more than the typical Georgia program graduate in this field—landing at the 60th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful edge when you're comparing in-state technical college options.
The debt picture looks manageable at $9,500, translating to a 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio that's quite favorable for a transportation credential. With just over half of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a largely working-class population who need affordable pathways into steady-paying work. Ground transportation careers typically offer consistent employment rather than dramatic salary growth, so that $42,000+ starting point matters.
The caveat here is significant: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, one exceptional year or a couple of struggling students can skew the picture dramatically. Still, for Georgia families comparing technical colleges, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack—not reaching the $46,000+ that top performers achieve, but beating the state median by a decent margin. If your child is committed to commercial driving or logistics work and prefers staying closer to Southwest Georgia, the combination of low debt and above-average state earnings makes this a defensible choice.
Where South Georgia Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How South Georgia Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (21 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,782 | $42,551 | — | $9,500 | 0.22 | |
| — | $46,909 | $39,461 | $7,875 | 0.17 | |
| $3,212 | $45,696 | — | $8,272 | 0.18 | |
| $3,180 | $43,652 | $47,808 | — | — | |
| $3,122 | $43,072 | $52,419 | $9,500 | 0.22 | |
| $3,252 | $40,590 | $42,501 | $12,924 | 0.32 | |
| National Median | — | $41,414 | — | $7,706 | 0.19 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with ground transportation graduates
Locomotive Engineers
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Pile Driver Operators
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Logging Equipment Operators
Bus Drivers, School
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
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 South Georgia Technical College, approximately 51% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.