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Big Bend Technical College
Perry, Florida · Public technical college
Address: 3233 South Byron Butler Parkway, Perry, FL 32348 · Phone: (850) 838-2545 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Big Bend Technical College is a public trade school in Perry, Florida offering CNA, welding, and auto mechanic training, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Big Bend Technical College has a 98.3% completion rate versus a 70.5% state average, and graduates earn a median of $27,609 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Big Bend Technical College is $12,695, federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 42.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $34,350 | $37,510 | $42,310 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,200 | $50,640 | $60,600 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,970 | $48,260 | $62,990 |
| Massage therapists | $30,310 | $49,680 | $59,700 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $44,300 | $60,490 | $73,900 |
| Medical records specialists | $36,330 | $45,760 | $59,230 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $37,700 | $50,640 | $62,380 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Florida (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 37 | $26,697 | $23,649 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Big Bend Technical College is a public trade and career-training campus in Perry, Florida, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV). The college awards credentials most often in CNA classes, welding, and auto mechanic training, alongside programs in massage therapy, diesel mechanics, medical billing and coding, and CDL training, for a total of eight program families.
Federal data show a completion rate of 98.3%, well above the Florida state average of 70.5%. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $27,609. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $12,695, and 42.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment.
With 130 undergraduate students and 87 trade completers, this is a small, fringe-rural campus that appears geared toward short, hands-on certificate and diploma programs rather than multi-year degrees. That structure, combined with high completion rates, may suit adults seeking a quick, direct path into a trade rather than a traditional two- or four-year college experience, though program length details are not specified here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review the school's full outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Big Bend Technical College offers eight program families, most notably CNA classes, welding schools, and auto mechanic schools, along with massage therapy, diesel mechanics, medical billing and coding, and CDL training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, with a status listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, and 42.6% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 98.3%, which is above the Florida state average of 70.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (850) 838-2545 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $27,609.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is listed at $12,695.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Big Bend Technical College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in the data provided; contact the school directly for schedule details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?137856.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus is small and located in a fringe rural area, with high completion rates in short, hands-on trade programs, which may suit adults seeking a direct route into a trade, though specific program lengths and formats are not detailed here.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Big Bend Technical College at (850) 838-2545 or visit https://www.bbtc.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; use the College Scorecard to compare outcomes across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.