Ground Transportation at Southeast Community College Area

Southeast Community College's Ground Transportation program operates in a narrow niche—there are only three such programs in Nebraska—and the small graduating class makes these numbers less reliable than typical data. Still, the pattern here matters: graduates start at roughly $31,000 and barely move upward over four years, earning about $10,000 less annually than the national median for this credential. That 5th percentile national ranking is striking, though the 60th percentile within Nebraska suggests the issue may be more about regional transportation industry wages than program quality.

The modest $8,200 debt load keeps this from being a financial disaster. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, graduates can realistically manage repayment even on these lower earnings. That's important context: you're not saddling your child with crushing debt for underwhelming returns—you're accepting below-average but stable earnings in exchange for minimal financial risk.

The real question is whether $31,000-32,000 represents acceptable compensation for your family, because that appears to be the ceiling here. If your child is committed to the transportation industry in Nebraska specifically, this provides affordable entry. But if they're open to other regions or other technical fields, there are likely certificates with better earning trajectories for similar investment.