Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Washburn University

Washburn's electrical installer certificate starts graduates at $37,254—about $5,000 below both the state median and national average. In Kansas, where a dozen schools offer this credential, Washburn lands in the 40th percentile, trailing community colleges like Pratt ($57,103) and Manhattan Area Tech ($50,897) by substantial margins. The $9,500 debt load matches typical program costs and represents just three months of first-year earnings, so the financial burden itself isn't problematic. The real question is why earnings lag peer programs when entry-level positions in this field typically command similar wages regardless of training location.

The 27% earnings growth to $47,476 by year four offers some reassurance—graduates do see meaningful wage progression. However, this program serves a student population where 31% receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families where every dollar of starting salary matters. The gap between Washburn's outcomes and stronger Kansas programs like Pratt or Manhattan Area Tech could represent $10,000-20,000 in lost annual income during those crucial early career years.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers may not be fully representative. But if you're choosing between Kansas electrical programs, the data suggests looking first at the community and technical colleges with demonstrated track records of placing graduates into higher-paying positions. Washburn's certificate gets students credentialed without crushing debt, but it appears to leave money on the table compared to in-state alternatives.