Ground Transportation at Southern Regional Technical College

Southern Regional Technical College's Ground Transportation program stands out for one thing: remarkably low debt. At $5,677, graduates carry roughly half the debt of typical Georgia students in this field ($9,500) and substantially less than the national median ($7,706). That's the 95th percentile nationally—meaning only 5% of similar programs leave students with less debt. For families worried about borrowing costs, that's meaningful protection.

The earnings tradeoff is real but manageable. First-year median pay of $34,746 trails both the Georgia median ($37,668) and national benchmark ($41,414) by meaningful margins. Within Georgia's 21 ground transportation programs, this ranks around the 40th percentile—middle of the pack in-state, though other technical colleges like Wiregrass Georgia and Central Georgia deliver $8,000-$11,000 more annually. Still, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means graduates owe just 16% of their first-year income, which is extremely manageable by any standard.

For students prioritizing minimal debt over maximum earnings—perhaps those already working in transportation who need credentials without financial risk—this program makes sense. The low debt load means graduates have immediate financial flexibility, even if they're not earning at the top of the range. But families should know stronger-earning options exist across Georgia's technical college system at similar or only slightly higher debt levels.