Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Southern California Institute of Technology

Graduates from this Anaheim program start modestly at $38,716 but see their earnings jump 28% by year four—reaching $49,507, which surpasses even the state's top-performing programs. The starting salary lands below California's median for electrical installers ($41,498), placing it in just the 40th percentile statewide. However, that four-year trajectory tells a different story: while peers at LA Trade Tech start stronger at $50,745, Southern Cal Tech graduates close that gap considerably as they gain experience.

The debt load of $10,270 is reasonable—below the state median and creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27. For context, you'd owe roughly three months of first-year salary, which is manageable for most graduates entering the trades. The institution serves a predominantly working-class student body (71% receive Pell grants), and the accessible admission rate suggests this program provides a viable pathway for students who might not have traditional four-year options.

The key question is whether your child can weather that first year or two of below-market earnings. If they can live at home or keep expenses low initially, this program offers solid long-term prospects with minimal debt. The earnings trajectory suggests employers increasingly value the specific training provided here, even if the initial credential doesn't command premium starting wages.