Ground Transportation at Elgin Community College
serving 6,463 students in Elgin, IL.
Program Analysis
Graduates of Elgin Community College's Ground Transportation program earn $51,945/yr in their first year — 25% above the $41,480 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.
With a 197.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 14% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Ground Transportation involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.
At $2,952 in median debt against $51,945 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
Elgin Community College ranks #3 among 96 Ground Transportation programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $51,945 to $61,496 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.
The 14 apprenticeship pathways connected to Ground Transportation reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Ground Transportation graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway and streetcar operators | $84,830 | +3.4% | 59% |
| Locomotive engineers | $77,400 | +0.7% | 71% |
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters | $74,080 | +1.1% | 72% |
Ground Transportation Career Guide
Ground Transportation opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.