Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Weber State University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 is fundamentally sound—peer programs nationally suggest this credential costs about three months of first-year wages. While Weber State's specific outcomes aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes, comparable associate programs across the country typically produce $44,700 in starting earnings against roughly $12,000 in debt. That's a manageable burden for technical training that leads directly to skilled trades work.

The challenge here is that electrical and power transmission installation is a field where alternatives matter. Many students enter through apprenticeships that pay while training, avoiding debt entirely. If your child is taking the community college route because they want classroom instruction or need foundational coursework before an apprenticeship, this estimated debt load won't derail their finances. But if they're choosing college over a union apprenticeship primarily for lifestyle reasons, they're trading immediate earnings for credentials.

Given Utah's growing population and infrastructure needs, the work itself should be abundant. The question is whether the associate degree enhances your child's positioning enough to justify $12,000 in debt compared to learn-while-you-earn pathways. If Weber State offers connections to regional employers or fast-tracks apprenticeship placement, the investment makes more sense. Without those specific advantages, the conventional apprenticeship route deserves serious consideration.