Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Stanly Community College

Comparable electrical programs in North Carolina typically produce first-year earnings around $52,474—substantially higher than the $38,716 estimated for this program based on national benchmarks. That $14,000 gap matters considerably when you're evaluating return on investment. Nash Community College, for instance, reports actual outcomes at that higher state median, suggesting graduates from other NC programs are entering better-paying positions or more favorable labor markets. The estimated debt here of $7,416 is manageable regardless, but the earnings differential raises questions about whether this program connects students to the same opportunities as peers elsewhere in the state.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 looks reasonable on paper—you'd pay back less than 20% of first-year earnings—but that calculation depends entirely on whether actual graduates from Stanly achieve earnings closer to the national average or the state average. If they track closer to other North Carolina programs, this becomes a solid value proposition. If they align with the lower national figure used for this estimate, the program underperforms compared to other accessible options within the state.

Given the uncertainty, investigate where Stanly's graduates actually work and what they earn. The $14,000 question is whether Albemarle's local labor market or the program's industry connections can match what students achieve at other community colleges across North Carolina. Without that confirmation, you're potentially choosing a lower-earning outcome when better alternatives exist in-state.