Ground Transportation at United Tribes Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
uttc.eduAnalysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 suggests this certificate could make financial sense, though the numbers here come from national peer programs rather than United Tribes' actual graduate outcomes. Based on similar ground transportation programs nationwide, graduates might expect around $41,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $6,650 in debt—manageable by most standards. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, United Tribes clearly serves students who need affordable pathways, and these estimates suggest the program delivers on that promise.
The challenge is knowing whether United Tribes specifically produces these results. National medians for ground transportation certificates show consistent earnings around $41,000, with top programs reaching nearly $47,000. Where United Tribes falls in that range matters considerably—a few thousand dollars difference in starting pay affects whether graduates can comfortably manage even modest debt. The estimated $6,650 debt load sits slightly below the national median of $7,706, which aligns with the school's mission-driven focus.
For parents, this looks like a reasonably safe bet if your student is committed to transportation work, but verify actual placement rates and employer connections at United Tribes. The field's earnings floor appears solid enough that even average performance would likely justify the investment, but you're making this decision without the school's specific track record visible.
Where United Tribes Technical College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,252 | $41,414* | — | $6,650* | — | |
| $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 United Tribes Technical College, approximately 75% 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.