Best colleges for Ground Transportation
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Ground Transportation by graduate earnings are Johnson County Community College ($74,114), Fox Valley Technical College ($67,999) and Central Lakes College - Brainerd ($64,164), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Johnson County Community College (Overland Park, KS): $74,114, 87 graduates a year
- Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, WI): $67,999, 143 graduates a year
- Central Lakes College - Brainerd (Brainerd, MN): $64,164, 55 graduates a year
- Hagerstown Community College (Hagerstown, MD): $53,495, 73 graduates a year
- Elgin Community College (Elgin, IL): $51,945, 79 graduates a year
Compare 271 U.S. colleges offering Ground Transportation by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 44 states.
Ground Transportation programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,092 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 49.02 and the Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity occupation (BLS SOC).
About Ground Transportation programs
The Ground Transportation program focuses on the essential skills and knowledge required for the effective movement of people and goods using land-based routes. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing careers in various transportation sectors, including trucking, rail, and heavy equipment operation. Students in this program will explore various specializations such as truck and bus driving, forklift operation, and traffic control. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for a dynamic and growing field, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and customer service in transportation operations.
Core coursework in the Ground Transportation program covers critical skills such as vehicle operation, traffic regulations, and passenger assistance. Students will gain knowledge in areas like transportation safety, customer service, and vehicle maintenance, equipping them with the competencies needed for successful careers in this field.
Top 25 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KS Public · Certificate | $74,114 | 87 | 31% | — | $5,775 |
| 2 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI Public · Certificate | $67,999 | 143 | 65% | — | $8,250 |
| 3 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MN Public · Certificate | $64,164 | 55 | 53% | — | $10,846 |
| 4 | Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown, MD Public · Certificate | $53,495 | 73 | 39% | — | $4,750 |
| 5 | Elgin Community College Elgin, IL Public · Certificate | $51,945 | 79 | 41% | — | $4,008 |
| 6 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island Pawtucket, RI Private for-profit · Certificate | $51,761 | 626 | 81% | $16,684 | $6,333 |
| 7 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts North Andover, MA Private for-profit · Certificate | $51,761 | 396 | 74% | $16,860 | $6,333 |
| 8 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MO Public · Certificate | $50,941 | 54 | 84% | — | $8,750 |
| 9 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WI Public · Certificate | $50,682 | 71 | 44% | — | $8,653 |
| 10 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, IL Public · Certificate | $49,142 | 187 | 48% | — | $5,500 |
| 11 | Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MN Public · Certificate | $48,587 | 30 | 60% | — | — |
| 12 | Hamrick School Medina, OH Private for-profit · Certificate | $47,287 | 140 | 86% | $6,855 | $6,333 |
| 13 | Minnesota State College Southeast Winona, MN Public · Certificate | $47,171 | 20 | 47% | — | — |
| 14 | Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL Public · Certificate | $47,167 | 155 | 38% | — | $12,621 |
| 15 | Miller-Motte College - Berks Technical Institute Wyomissing, PA Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 79 | 76% | — | $7,875 |
| 16 | Miller-Motte College - STVT-McAllen McAllen, TX Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 76 | 78% | $23,260 | $7,875 |
| 17 | Miller-Motte College - Berks Technical Institute - Allentown Allentown, PA Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 65 | 83% | — | $7,875 |
| 18 | Miller-Motte College - Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 67 | 78% | — | $7,875 |
| 19 | Miller-Motte College - STVT-San Antonio San Antonio, TX Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 46 | 69% | $23,546 | $7,875 |
| 20 | Miller-Motte College - Jacksonville Jacksonville, NC Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 85 | 75% | $21,837 | $7,875 |
| 21 | Miller-Motte College - Augusta Augusta, GA Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 53 | 59% | $21,799 | $7,875 |
| 22 | Miller-Motte College - STVT-Arlington Arlington, TX Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,909 | 106 | 84% | $24,000 | $7,875 |
| 23 | Fortis Institute - Scranton Scranton, PA Private for-profit · Certificate | $46,797 | 34 | 46% | $26,301 | $6,333 |
| 24 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, AR Public · Certificate | $45,980 | 107 | 46% | — | $11,715 |
| 25 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA Public · Certificate | $45,696 | 216 | 50% | — | $8,272 |
Specializations within Ground Transportation
5 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 49.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Truck and Bus Driver/CIP 49.0205
Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor 17,965 graduates / yr232 institutions41 states - Construction/CIP 49.0202
Heavy Equipment/ Earthmoving Equipment Operation 1,010 graduates / yr50 institutions26 states - Forklift Operation/CIP 49.0209
Operator New in CIP 2020partial data318 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states - Ground TransportationCIP 49.0299partial data109 graduates / yr7 institutions4 states
- Railroad and Railway TransportationCIP 49.0208limited data87 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 7 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Mobil Crane Operator/
Operation49.0206 - Flagging and Traffic Control49.0207
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 44 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 53-3052, Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, and its national outlook.
The job outlook for careers in Ground Transportation is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.3% and approximately 20,900 annual openings. Positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, and the median wage in this field is around $57,440, making it a viable option for those seeking stable employment opportunities.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Ground Transportation
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 49.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 49.02 (Ground Transportation) maps to 31 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1194 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 45-4022 | Logging Equipment Operators |
| 47-2071 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators |
| 47-2072 | Pile Driver Operators |
| 47-2073 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| 47-4051 | Highway Maintenance Workers |
| 47-4061 | Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators |
| 47-5022 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining |
| 47-5023 | Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas |
| 47-5032 | Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters |
| 47-5041 | Continuous Mining Machine Operators |
| 47-5049 | Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other |
| 47-5099 | Extraction Workers, All Other |
| 53-1043 | First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators |
| 53-1049 | First-Line Supervisors of Transportation Workers, All Other |
| 53-3032 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
| 53-3033 | Light Truck Drivers |
| 53-3051 | Bus Drivers, School |
| 53-3052 | Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercityprimary |
| 53-3053 | Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs |
| 53-4011 | Locomotive Engineers |
| 53-4013 | Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers |
| 53-4022 | Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers |
| 53-4031 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters |
| 53-4041 | Subway and Streetcar Operators |
| 53-4099 | Rail Transportation Workers, All Other |
| 53-7021 | Crane and Tower Operators |
| 53-7031 | Dredge Operators |
| 53-7041 | Hoist and Winch Operators |
| 53-7051 | Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators |
| 53-7199 | Material Moving Workers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Ground Transportation programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
- Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
- Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
- Announce stops to passengers.
- Assist passengers, such as elderly or individuals with disabilities, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
- Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available in the Ground Transportation program?+
Specializations include Truck and Bus Driver, Heavy Equipment Operation, and Railroad Transportation, among others.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and vehicle operation, among others.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
What is the job outlook for Ground Transportation careers?+
The field is expected to grow at a rate of 4.3% with about 20,900 annual job openings.
How much do Ground Transportation graduates earn?+
Ground Transportation graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,092, College Scorecard (2019); the Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity occupation pays about $60,280 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Ground Transportation?+
Ground Transportation maps to CIP 49.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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