Ground Transportation at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
sotech.eduAnalysis
This Ground Transportation certificate at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center comes with an estimated debt load of $9,280—slightly above the typical $7,706 nationally for similar programs, though roughly in line with Oklahoma's state median of $10,173. Based on comparable programs across the country, graduates can expect to earn around $41,414 in their first year, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22. That means you'd be looking at roughly a quarter of first-year income to cover the debt—a reasonable burden for a short-term credential.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With earnings and debt both estimated from peer programs rather than actual outcomes for this specific school, it's difficult to know whether Southern Oklahoma Technology Center delivers the same results as similar ground transportation programs elsewhere. The certificate's length and cost structure could differ meaningfully from the national patterns used to generate these figures. What we can say is that ground transportation credentials typically lead to steady employment in trucking, logistics, or public transit—fields with consistent demand but limited earnings growth beyond entry-level positions.
Given the estimates, this program appears viable if your child is committed to the transportation sector and confident they can complete the credential efficiently. The projected debt load won't become crushing at expected earnings levels. However, before enrolling, contact the school directly to understand their actual graduate outcomes and whether their specific training aligns with local employer needs in the Ardmore area.
Where Southern Oklahoma Technology Center Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all ground transportation certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Ground Transportation certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $41,414* | — | $9,280* | — | |
| $2,328 | $74,114* | $60,000 | $5,775* | 0.08 | |
| $4,916 | $67,999* | $49,577 | $8,250* | 0.12 | |
| $6,209 | $64,164* | $59,690 | $10,846* | 0.17 | |
| $4,842 | $59,330* | — | $11,000* | 0.19 | |
| $4,320 | $53,495* | $47,311 | $4,750* | 0.09 | |
| 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 Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, approximately 14% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 94 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.