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Salina Area Technical College
Salina, Kansas · Public technical college
Address: 2562 Centennial Road, Salina, KS 67401 · Phone: (785) 309-3100 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Salina Area Technical College is a public trade school in Salina, Kansas offering CNA classes, welding, and CDL training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Salina Area Technical College has a 68.0% completion rate, above the Kansas state average of 57.3%, with median graduate debt of $7,000 and median earnings of $42,175 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Salina Area Technical College; the school participates in federal Title IV aid, and about 15.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $32,180 | $38,010 | $44,170 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,790 | $49,410 | $59,200 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $43,760 | $58,920 | $71,080 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,970 | $47,790 | $63,000 |
| Electricians | $42,660 | $65,860 | $80,560 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $49,780 | $61,760 | $69,470 |
| Dental assistants (U.S.) | $37,130 | $48,070 | $58,090 |
| Construction laborers | $31,500 | $44,840 | $49,210 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,560 | $35,780 | $39,060 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,660 | $60,460 | $72,830 |
| Machinists | $38,240 | $51,220 | $61,450 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kansas (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, under 300 hours | 118 | not reported | not reported | $7,500 |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 41 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | $37,208 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | $37,208 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | not reported | not reported | $7,500 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $24,267 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $28,960 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | $28,960 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 9 | $42,173 | $35,988 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | $28,960 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $37,208 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | $42,173 | $35,988 | not reported |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | $42,173 | $35,988 | 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
Salina Area Technical College is a public trade and career training campus in Salina, Kansas. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, along with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. The school awards 23 program families, with its top completions coming from CNA classes (118 completers), welding schools (41), and CDL/truck driving programs (41).
Federal Scorecard data shows a completion rate of 68.0%, above the Kansas state average of 57.3% for comparable programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $7,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $42,175. About 15.5% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a total undergraduate enrollment of 330 and 327 trade completers, this Remote town campus appears to serve a compact, hands-on student population across programs like welding, CDL training, auto mechanics, electrician training, dental assisting, and HVAC. The mix of short-term certificate programs (like CNA and CDL) alongside longer technical tracks may suit both first-time students and adult career changers, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and detailed outcomes directly through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Salina Area Technical College offers 23 program families, with the most completions in CNA classes, welding schools, and CDL/truck driving training. Other program families include auto mechanics, electrician training, dental assisting, construction trades, EMT training, HVAC, and CNC machining.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 68.0%, which is above the Kansas state average of 57.3% for similar programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $7,000, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $42,175, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (785) 309-3100 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state and federal funding support compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for program duration details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review detailed outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the link provided by the school, or by contacting the accreditors directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of shorter certificate-style programs like CNA classes and CDL training alongside longer technical programs suggests options for career changers, though specific scheduling and program length details are not reported in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Salina Area Technical College at (785) 309-3100 or visit https://www.salinatech.edu/ for admissions information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?155830 for comparisons.
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.