Career Training Path › West Virginia › Ben Franklin Career Center
Ben Franklin Career Center
Dunbar, West Virginia · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 500 28th St, Dunbar, WV 25064 · Phone: (304) 766-0369 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Ben Franklin Career Center is a public trade school in Dunbar, West Virginia offering phlebotomy, CDL truck driving, and welding programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Ben Franklin Career Center has an 86.4% completion rate, above the West Virginia average of 68.5%, with median earnings of $37,962 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Ben Franklin Career Center is $9,351, federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 45.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomists | $30,570 | $39,250 | $44,570 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $36,350 | $49,480 | $58,720 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,700 | $48,810 | $60,170 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $36,160 | $48,850 | $60,790 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $28,270 | $37,660 | $49,740 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in West Virginia (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, under 300 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | 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
Ben Franklin Career Center is a public trade and career training campus in Dunbar, West Virginia, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV). The school offers five program families, with its top programs being phlebotomy classes, CDL/truck driving training, and welding schools, alongside HVAC and auto mechanic programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 86.4%, above the West Virginia state average of 68.5%. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $37,962. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. The annual cost of attendance is $9,351, and 45.9% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting a substantial share of students with financial need.
With 78 undergraduate students and 32 trade completers, this is a small campus offering short, focused career-training programs rather than multi-year degrees. This setting may suit adults and career changers seeking a compact program in a specific trade, though program lengths themselves are not detailed in the available data. Prospective students should verify current program offerings, accreditation status, and outcome data directly with the school or through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Ben Franklin Career Center offers five program families, with the top programs being phlebotomy classes, CDL/truck driving training, and welding schools, along with HVAC and auto mechanic programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 86.4%, which is above the West Virginia state average of 68.5%.
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 (304) 766-0369 or check the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $37,962 per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $9,351.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state and federal funding, though costs and outcomes should still be verified directly.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available federal data; contact the school directly at (304) 766-0369 or visit its website for program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?237172.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers short, focused trade programs such as phlebotomy, CDL training, and welding, which may suit adults seeking a specific skill, though fit should be confirmed by contacting the school about scheduling and format.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Ben Franklin Career Center at (304) 766-0369 or visit https://bf.kana.k12.wv.us/ for more information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Federal data does not provide comparative information on nearby schools; check the College Scorecard for other institutions offering similar programs in West Virginia.
Nearby trade and career schools in West Virginia
- Boone Career and Technical CenterFoster, WV · technical college
- Putnam Career and Technical CenterEleanor, WV · 84% completion
- Pierpont Community and Technical CollegeFairmont, WV · 42% completion
- New River Community and Technical CollegeBeaver, WV · 36% completion
- James Rumsey Technical InstituteMartinsburg, WV · 77% completion
- Fred W Eberle Technical CenterBuckhannon, WV · 98% completion
- Academy of Careers and TechnologyBeckley, WV · 82% completion
- Carver Career CenterCharleston, WV · 92% completion
See all trade and career schools in West Virginia or search by ZIP code.
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.