Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Virginia Highlands Community College

Is a two-year degree in electrical installation worth $12,000 in debt when similar programs nationally lead to mid-$40,000 first-year earnings? Based on comparable programs across the country, that question has a clearer answer than many community college credentials: the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year income—a manageable burden that puts this firmly in the "reasonable investment" category.

The estimated $44,727 first-year earnings align exactly with the national median for this field, which tells us two things. First, electrical and power transmission work tends to pay consistently across different regions—this isn't a field where location dramatically changes your prospects. Second, Virginia Highlands appears positioned right in the mainstream of these programs, neither premium-priced nor budget-oriented. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a largely working-class population for whom that sub-$30K annual debt load matters considerably.

The honest caveat: we're working with estimates here because this program's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report specific outcomes. That could mean anything from a brand-new program to one with modest enrollment. For a hands-on technical field where instructor access and equipment matter, smaller cohorts aren't necessarily problematic—but you'll want to visit the campus and confirm they have the training infrastructure to prepare students for immediate employment in electrical work.