Ground Transportation at Chattanooga State Community College
with a smaller student body of 4,689 in Chattanooga, TN.
Program Analysis
Chattanooga State Community College's Ground Transportation graduates start at $48,579/yr — above the $41,480 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 111.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Ground Transportation programs nationally.
AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,500 in median debt clears fast against $48,579 in annual earnings.
At #14 of 96 nationally, this is a top-5% Ground Transportation program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $49,433 are relatively flat compared to the $48,579 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
Ground Transportation offers 14 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
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
From day-one roles to senior positions, Ground Transportation careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.