Ground Transportation at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville

The estimated $9,280 debt load for this certificate program falls slightly above typical levels for ground transportation training, though the 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable if the earnings projection proves accurate. Similar programs across Tennessee suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—right at the state median but notably behind the state's top performers. Chattanooga State's ground transportation graduates, for instance, earn roughly $48,600 in their first year, a $10,000 premium that compounds significantly over a career. That gap matters when you're weighing where to invest in vocational training.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Because this program's actual graduate outcomes are unavailable due to small cohort sizes, these figures reflect what peer programs typically produce rather than what this specific TCAT-Knoxville program delivers. The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (30%), which speaks to accessibility, but without hard data on job placement rates or employer partnerships, you're making a bet on the school's reputation and local industry connections. Ground transportation careers can offer stable employment, but starting earnings in this field vary dramatically even within Tennessee—from low $30,000s to nearly $50,000 depending on the program and employer network.

Given the limited visibility into actual outcomes, treat this as a calculate-the-downside decision: if your student completes quickly and the debt stays near $9,000, even modest earnings make the certificate affordable to repay. Request job placement statistics directly from the school before enrolling.