Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Summit College

Summit College's electrical and power transmission program produces graduates who earn less than their California peers while carrying manageable debt loads. At $37,990 in first-year earnings, graduates fall below both the state median ($41,498) and national average ($38,716), ranking in just the 40th percentile among California programs. However, the $7,600 in median debt is notably lower than both state ($11,725) and national ($9,500) averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 that suggests reasonable financial risk.

The earnings gap is meaningful when compared to top California programs—Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates earn $50,745, representing a $12,755 annual difference. This suggests Summit's program may not provide the strongest pathway into higher-paying positions in California's competitive electrical market, where living costs are substantial.

For parents seeking a lower-risk entry into the electrical trades, Summit's combination of modest debt and steady employment prospects offers a reasonable foundation. The program serves a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients (53%), indicating it successfully educates students from lower-income backgrounds. While graduates won't command top wages immediately, the low debt burden means they can build experience without crushing loan payments, potentially advancing to better positions over time.