Ground Transportation at Washburn Institute of Technology

Kansas ground transportation programs typically produce far stronger outcomes than the national figures suggest here. While this certificate shows estimated first-year earnings of $41,414—matching the national median—the actual reported median for Kansas programs is $74,114. That's a $32,700 difference, and it raises questions about whether Washburn's program connects students to the same employer networks and career pathways as Johnson County Community College, which reports that higher figure.

The estimated debt of $9,280 translates to manageable monthly payments of roughly $100 over ten years, and the 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable on paper. But if graduates actually earn closer to the Kansas median, this becomes an exceptionally low-cost entry into a stable field. Conversely, if they're tracking below state norms, the financial picture tightens considerably. Transportation programs vary widely—some feed into CDL trucking roles, others into logistics coordination or specialized equipment operation—and these paths produce dramatically different earning trajectories.

Before committing, contact Washburn's career services to understand where recent graduates actually land and what their starting salaries look like. The gap between estimated national figures and actual Kansas outcomes is too substantial to ignore, and you need program-specific placement data to make an informed decision about whether this certificate delivers value comparable to nearby alternatives.