Ground Transportation, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Why Ground Transportation, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 21.0%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Ground Transportation, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $37930 and average student debt of $7968, the financial outlook for Ground Transportation, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Ground Transportation, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $37930, with grads carrying about $7968 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.21—which is excellent for paying off loans quickly.
Each year, over 24115 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Ground Transportation, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Ground Transportation, Other (CIP 49.0299) is a specialized transportation and logistics field focused on the planning, operation, coordination, and support of land-based transportation systems that move people and goods efficiently and safely. This classification includes programs that fall outside traditional automotive repair, trucking, or rail operations, covering emerging, hybrid, or systems-oriented ground transportation roles. These professionals work at the operational core of how cities, regions, and economies function.
For a degree search site, Ground Transportation, Other represents stability, systems thinking, and real-world impact. Roads, railways, transit systems, freight corridors, and logistics networks are the backbone of daily life. As populations grow and supply chains become more complex, demand continues to rise for professionals who understand how to manage, coordinate, and optimize ground transportation systems. This degree appeals to students who want a career in transportation without being a driver or mechanic, offering strong job demand, public-sector opportunities, and long-term career growth.
What Is a Ground Transportation Degree?
A Ground Transportation, Other degree or certificate is a workforce-focused program designed to prepare students for non-driving, non-mechanical roles within land-based transportation systems. Programs under the “Other” designation typically emphasize operations, logistics, planning, safety, and coordination rather than vehicle repair or operation alone.
This degree typically focuses on:
- Ground transportation systems and infrastructure
- Transit and freight operations
- Logistics, scheduling, and routing
- Safety standards and regulatory compliance
- Transportation coordination and communication
Community colleges, universities, and technical institutes offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for transportation operations and coordination careers
- Support public transit, logistics, and infrastructure workforces
- Address growing complexity in ground transportation systems
- Train professionals for evolving mobility and freight technologies
Ground transportation programs emphasize system reliability, safety, and efficiency.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how ground transportation systems operate as interconnected networks involving vehicles, infrastructure, people, and regulations. You’ll study how traffic flows are managed, how transit schedules are coordinated, and how goods move efficiently through regional and national systems.
The curriculum emphasizes applied operational knowledge. Students learn how to analyze routes, manage schedules, interpret transportation regulations, and respond to disruptions such as accidents, weather events, or infrastructure failures. Because transportation systems directly affect safety and economic activity, programs emphasize accountability, communication, and procedural discipline.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Transportation operations coordination—system-wide awareness
- Logistics and routing analysis—efficient movement of people and goods
- Scheduling and resource planning—vehicles, drivers, and infrastructure
- Safety management and compliance—regulations and standards
- Transportation data interpretation—traffic and usage trends
- Communication and coordination—multi-agency collaboration
- Problem-solving under time pressure—incident response
- Documentation and reporting—operational records
These skills are essential for keeping ground transportation systems running smoothly.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by program but often includes:
- Introduction to Ground Transportation Systems: roads, rail, and transit
- Public Transit Operations and Planning: buses, rail, and scheduling
- Freight and Logistics Management: supply chain movement
- Traffic Flow and Transportation Safety: risk reduction
- Transportation Regulations and Policy: compliance frameworks
- Routing, Dispatch, and Scheduling Systems: operational efficiency
- Emergency and Incident Management: disruption response
- Sustainable and Emerging Mobility Systems: evolving transport models
- Applied Transportation Operations Project: real-world scenarios
Programs often adapt coursework to regional transit or freight needs.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Ground Transportation, Other degree prepares students for operational, planning, and coordination roles across public and private transportation organizations. Advancement is based on experience, system knowledge, and leadership skills.
Common career paths include:
- Transportation Operations Coordinator: system monitoring and control
- Transit Operations or Scheduling Specialist: public transportation
- Logistics or Routing Coordinator: freight and delivery networks
- Traffic or Transportation Technician: system support roles
- Transportation Safety or Compliance Assistant: regulatory support
- Dispatch or Control Center Specialist: real-time coordination
- Long-Term Path: operations manager, planner, or transportation supervisor
These roles are essential to keeping ground transportation safe and reliable.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations responsible for moving people and goods by land:
- Public transit agencies and authorities
- City, county, and state transportation departments
- Logistics and freight transportation companies
- Rail and intermodal transportation organizations
- Traffic management and operations centers
- Private transportation and mobility providers
- Public works and infrastructure agencies
Ground transportation professionals are vital in both urban and rural regions.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by role, employer, and experience.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level transportation coordination roles: often $45,000–$60,000
- Experienced operations or logistics professionals: commonly $60,000–$85,000
- Supervisors, planners, or managers: can reach $90,000–$120,000+
Public-sector roles often include strong benefits and long-term stability.
Is This Degree Hard?
Ground Transportation, Other is considered mentally demanding and systems-focused. While it is not physically intensive, students must manage complex information, follow strict procedures, and respond quickly to changing conditions. The challenge lies in maintaining situational awareness and making sound decisions that affect safety and efficiency.
Success requires organization, focus, and comfort working with rules and systems.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are interested in transportation, logistics, or infrastructure
- Enjoy planning, coordination, and systems thinking
- Prefer operational roles over mechanical work
- Want a stable career with public- and private-sector options
- Like solving real-world movement and efficiency problems
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a ground transportation program:
- Take math, geography, computer, and social science courses
- Develop strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Learn basic logistics, mapping, or transportation concepts if available
- Participate in STEM, leadership, or civic programs
- Practice responsibility and attention to detail
Ground Transportation, Other (CIP 49.0299) is an excellent degree for students who want to work at the operational heart of how people and goods move every day. It offers strong job demand, meaningful public impact, and long-term career stability across transit, logistics, and infrastructure sectors. For those drawn to systems, coordination, and real-world problem-solving rather than driving or repairing vehicles, this degree provides a powerful and practical pathway into the transportation industry.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor