Ground Transportation at Northwest Iowa Community College

Sheldon, IA · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 856 students in Sheldon, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,943 put Northwest Iowa Community College's Ground Transportation program 47% above the national median of $41,480 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 44.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Ground Transportation are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #35 out of 96 programs, Northwest Iowa Community College's Ground Transportation offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

With 14 registered apprenticeships mapped to Ground Transportation, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

79 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
79
Score
79
High End
Earnings $60,943/yr (47% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (647,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$638K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.8x
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)
$14,220
Out-of-state: $14,820

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 Northwest Iowa Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 79/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Ground Transportation at Northwest Iowa Community College?
A score of 79/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northwest Iowa Community College's Ground Transportation graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Ground Transportation from automation?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 14% of Ground Transportation tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 29 of 29 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Ground Transportation graduates?
Yes — 14 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Ground Transportation career paths, including Asphalt Paving Machine Operator (Alt. Title: Concrete And Asphalt Equip Op). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Northwest Iowa Community College.
What's the job market like for Ground Transportation from Northwest Iowa Community College?
With approximately 647,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Ground Transportation offers a very large employment pool. Northwest Iowa Community College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →