Ground Transportation at City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College

Chicago, IL · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 1,425 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College's Ground Transportation graduates start at $24,356/yr, trailing the $41,480 national average by 41%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 85.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Ground Transportation programs nationally.

The 33% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 14% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Ground Transportation graduates.

Ranked #69 of 96 Ground Transportation programs, City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $24,356 to $35,103 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Ground Transportation offers 14 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
70
Score
70
High End
Earnings $24,356/yr (-41% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (647,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$380K
9.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
86.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
29 of 29
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,380
Out-of-state: $14,430
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,103
44% growth from Year 1

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%
Subway and streetcar operators
$84,830
+3.4% growth 59% AI-proof
Locomotive engineers
$77,400
+0.7% growth 71% AI-proof
Railroad conductors and yardmasters
$74,080
+1.1% growth 72% AI-proof

View all 29 career paths with full salary data →

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.

Read the full Ground Transportation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Ground Transportation Overview

Ground Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College's Ground Transportation program score?
This program scores 70/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Ground Transportation programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Ground Transportation jobs?
For City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Ground Transportation rated "AI-Proof" — 86% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Is City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College a good choice for Ground Transportation despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Ground Transportation program at City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College?
There are 14 registered apprenticeships connected to Ground Transportation occupations, such as Asphalt Paving Machine Operator (Alt. Title: Concrete And Asphalt Equip Op) and Construction Driver. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Ground Transportation graduates?
The career paths mapped to Ground Transportation have roughly 647,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →