Ground Transportation at Southern Crescent Technical College

Southern Crescent Technical College's Ground Transportation certificate sits squarely in the middle of Georgia's offerings—matching the state median for first-year earnings at $37,668—but there's a crucial detail here. While similar programs in Georgia typically lead to an estimated $9,500 in debt, graduates would need that first year's salary to pay down roughly a quarter of what they owe. That's a manageable debt load for a certificate program, especially one serving a population where nearly half of students receive Pell grants.

The catch is performance. Comparable programs across Georgia show a wide range, with top performers like Miller-Motte College-Augusta placing graduates at $46,909—nearly $10,000 more annually. Even peer technical colleges like Wiregrass Georgia and Central Georgia Technical are getting their graduates into the $43,000-$46,000 range. Southern Crescent's outcomes land below the national median too, sitting at the 36th percentile nationally for this credential.

For families weighing this investment, the debt burden appears reasonable, but the earnings trajectory is concerning. Growth from year one to year four barely keeps pace with inflation at just 4%. If your child is committed to ground transportation, push them to explore why other Georgia technical colleges are achieving substantially better placement outcomes—whether it's stronger employer relationships, different specializations, or more robust job placement support.