Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 180 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Positive payoff
+$31,224 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
7.9 yrsModeled economic break-even
+26%Modeled 10-year ROI
$59,977Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$59,977Median reported earnings · year 4
$54,900Average reported earnings · year 5
$12,000Median federal debt
72thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
180Reporting programs
177With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $50,285
- Federal debt
- $11,000
- Reporting programs
- 337
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,977
- Federal debt
- $12,000
- Reporting programs
- 180
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $78,712
- Federal debt
- $19,834
- Reporting programs
- 7
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,354
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$53,001National median$59,97775th percentile$63,816
177 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Minneapolis Community and Technical College$101,9822Tarrant County College District$90,7373SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill$83,9054Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach$83,7495Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide$83,7496Rock Valley College$83,4287Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology$83,2828Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology$82,9289Alexandria Technical & Community College$80,68810Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics$79,146Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsSOC 49-3023 · 6 crosswalk linksAircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersSOC 51-2011 · 3 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersSOC 49-1011 · 3 crosswalk linksAircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansSOC 49-3011 · 2 crosswalk linksBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsSOC 49-3031 · 2 crosswalk linksMotorboat Mechanics and Service TechniciansSOC 49-3051 · 2 crosswalk linksAerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansSOC 17-3021 · 1 crosswalk linksAutomotive Body and Related RepairersSOC 49-3021 · 1 crosswalk linksAutomotive Glass Installers and RepairersSOC 49-3022 · 1 crosswalk linksAvionics TechniciansSOC 49-2091 · 1 crosswalk linksBicycle RepairersSOC 49-3091 · 1 crosswalk linksCoating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9124 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $101,982 | Not available | +384% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Tarrant County College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Fort Worth, TX | $90,737 | $14,503 | +364% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillAssociate's Degree | Cobleskill, NY | $83,905 | Not available | +205% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachAssociate's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | $83,749 | $12,500 | +125% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideAssociate's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | $83,749 | $12,500 | +204% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | Rock Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rockford, IL | $83,428 | Not available | +282% | Strong payoff |
| 7 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Broomfield, CO | $83,282 | $17,428 | +155% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | Vaughn College of Aeronautics and TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Flushing, NY | $82,928 | $20,000 | +123% | Strong payoff |
| 9 | Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Alexandria, MN | $80,688 | $12,000 | +204% | Strong payoff |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Institute of AeronauticsAssociate's Degree | West Mifflin, PA | $79,146 | $16,163 | +120% | Strong payoff |
| 11 | Illinois Central CollegeAssociate's Degree | East Peoria, IL | $79,029 | Not available | +194% | Strong payoff |
| 12 | Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Okmulgee, OK | $75,882 | $11,425 | +176% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaAssociate's Degree | Visalia, CA | $75,468 | $20,188 | +109% | Strong payoff |
| 14 | San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education CenterAssociate's Degree | Fresno, CA | $75,468 | $20,188 | +109% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | North Dakota State College of ScienceAssociate's Degree | Wahpeton, ND | $74,744 | $11,835 | +164% | Strong payoff |
| 16 | Idaho State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Pocatello, ID | $73,863 | $14,572 | +152% | Strong payoff |
| 17 | Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Selden, NY | $72,700 | $7,000 | +176% | Strong payoff |
| 18 | Lake Superior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Duluth, MN | $72,699 | $19,441 | +129% | Strong payoff |
| 19 | Salt Lake Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $72,357 | $12,500 | +150% | Strong payoff |
| 20 | Northern Wyoming Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Sheridan, WY | $72,326 | Not available | +151% | Strong payoff |
| 21 | Honolulu Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $71,687 | Not available | +154% | Strong payoff |
| 22 | Portland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $71,462 | $12,666 | +139% | Strong payoff |
| 23 | Hennepin Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn Park, MN | $71,193 | $12,000 | +137% | Strong payoff |
| 24 | Savannah Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Savannah, GA | $71,023 | Not available | +155% | Strong payoff |
| 25 | Northeastern Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sterling, CO | $70,530 | Not available | +117% | Strong payoff |
| 26 | Waubonsee Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sugar Grove, IL | $70,429 | Not available | +125% | Strong payoff |
| 27 | Parkland CollegeAssociate's Degree | Champaign, IL | $70,208 | $7,000 | +138% | Strong payoff |
| 28 | St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Cloud, MN | $70,185 | $12,000 | +130% | Strong payoff |
| 29 | Joliet Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Joliet, IL | $69,595 | Not available | +163% | Strong payoff |
| 30 | Community College of AuroraAssociate's Degree | Aurora, CO | $68,677 | Not available | +121% | Strong payoff |
| 31 | Middle Georgia State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Macon, GA | $68,083 | Not available | +101% | Strong payoff |
| 32 | Kishwaukee CollegeAssociate's Degree | Malta, IL | $67,540 | Not available | +127% | Strong payoff |
| 33 | Spartanburg Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Spartanburg, SC | $67,466 | Not available | +137% | Strong payoff |
| 34 | Santa Ana CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Ana, CA | $66,935 | Not available | +128% | Strong payoff |
| 35 | Gateway Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Kenosha, WI | $66,344 | $11,250 | +84% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | Baker CollegeAssociate's Degree | Owosso, MI | $66,205 | $12,443 | +82% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Universal Technical Institute-CantonAssociate's Degree | Canton, MI | $66,134 | $20,997 | +55% | Positive payoff |
| 38 | Vincennes UniversityAssociate's Degree | Vincennes, IN | $65,875 | $12,000 | +86% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | College of Southern IdahoAssociate's Degree | Twin Falls, ID | $65,164 | $7,743 | +97% | Positive payoff |
| 40 | Spartan College of Aeronautics & TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Inglewood, CA | $65,090 | $23,609 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 41 | Klamath Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Klamath Falls, OR | $64,526 | Not available | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | Dunwoody College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $64,209 | $12,000 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $64,174 | $10,230 | +87% | Positive payoff |
| 44 | Minnesota State Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fergus Falls, MN | $63,817 | $12,000 | +63% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | SUNY MorrisvilleAssociate's Degree | Morrisville, NY | $63,816 | $12,000 | +54% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | Community College of Allegheny CountyAssociate's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $63,679 | Not available | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 47 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ankeny, IA | $63,673 | $9,624 | +66% | Positive payoff |
| 48 | Massachusetts Bay Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Wellesley Hills, MA | $63,654 | $7,272 | +79% | Positive payoff |
| 49 | Fox Valley Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Appleton, WI | $63,505 | $11,000 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 50 | Northland Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Thief River Falls, MN | $63,434 | Not available | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 51 | Texas State Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Waco, TX | $63,228 | $10,543 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 52 | Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Louisville, KY | $63,142 | $9,625 | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | Skagit Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Mount Vernon, WA | $63,091 | Not available | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 54 | Southeast Community College AreaAssociate's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $63,090 | $10,375 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | Hallmark UniversityAssociate's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $62,986 | $23,287 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 56 | New Mexico Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Hobbs, NM | $62,870 | Not available | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Hawkeye Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Waterloo, IA | $62,817 | $12,000 | +63% | Positive payoff |
| 58 | Central Maine Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn, ME | $62,797 | $11,750 | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 59 | Pennsylvania College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Williamsport, PA | $62,647 | $12,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | Cuyahoga Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $62,512 | Not available | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 61 | Ranken Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $62,450 | $12,000 | +37% | Positive payoff |
| 62 | Iowa Western Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Council Bluffs, IA | $62,400 | $13,000 | +46% | Positive payoff |
| 63 | Central Piedmont Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $62,210 | Not available | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 64 | New York Automotive and Diesel InstituteAssociate's Degree | Jamaica, NY | $62,122 | $20,674 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 65 | Northwest Iowa Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sheldon, IA | $61,907 | $11,326 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | San Jacinto Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, TX | $61,487 | Not available | +44% | Positive payoff |
| 67 | Kirkwood Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,486 | $10,000 | +51% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | Lewis-Clark State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lewiston, ID | $61,383 | $12,000 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 69 | CUNY Kingsborough Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $61,269 | Not available | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | Dallas CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dallas, TX | $60,937 | $7,959 | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 71 | Lake Area Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Watertown, SD | $60,763 | $12,000 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 72 | Dakota County Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rosemount, MN | $60,744 | $12,000 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 73 | Utah Valley UniversityAssociate's Degree | Orem, UT | $60,740 | Not available | +53% | Positive payoff |
| 74 | Northcentral Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Wausau, WI | $60,691 | Not available | +42% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | Pima Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $60,296 | $5,625 | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Annandale, VA | $60,215 | Not available | +39% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | Harrisburg Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Harrisburg, PA | $60,172 | Not available | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 78 | Arapahoe Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Littleton, CO | $60,131 | Not available | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 79 | Universal Technical Institute of Arizona IncAssociate's Degree | Avondale, AZ | $60,060 | $17,389 | -0% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Universal Technical Institute of California IncAssociate's Degree | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | $60,060 | $17,389 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 81 | Universal Technical Institute-MooresvilleAssociate's Degree | Mooresville, NC | $60,060 | $17,389 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 82 | Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaAssociate's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $60,060 | $17,389 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 83 | Universal Technical Institute-South Florida MiramarAssociate's Degree | Miramar, FL | $60,060 | $17,389 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 84 | Southeast Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sioux Falls, SD | $60,041 | $12,000 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 85 | Lincoln College of Technology-DenverAssociate's Degree | Denver, CO | $60,037 | $12,000 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Lincoln College of Technology-IndianapolisAssociate's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $60,037 | $12,000 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 87 | Nashville Auto-Diesel CollegeAssociate's Degree | Nashville, TN | $60,037 | $12,000 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Lincoln College of Technology-Grand PrairieAssociate's Degree | Grand Prairie, TX | $60,037 | $12,000 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Northampton County Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $59,977 | Not available | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 90 | Columbia-Greene Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Hudson, NY | $59,318 | Not available | +39% | Positive payoff |
| 91 | Walla Walla Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walla Walla, WA | $59,294 | Not available | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 92 | Vermont State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Randolph, VT | $59,232 | Not available | +13% | Positive payoff |
| 93 | Delaware Technical Community College-TerryAssociate's Degree | Dover, DE | $58,932 | Not available | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 94 | Clark CollegeAssociate's Degree | Vancouver, WA | $58,804 | $10,370 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 95 | SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAssociate's Degree | Alfred, NY | $58,750 | $12,000 | +15% | Positive payoff |
| 96 | University of Northwestern OhioAssociate's Degree | Lima, OH | $58,429 | $20,332 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 97 | State Technical College of MissouriAssociate's Degree | Linn, MO | $58,354 | $12,000 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 98 | Iowa Central Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fort Dodge, IA | $58,259 | $12,000 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 99 | Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norfolk, VA | $57,951 | $11,167 | +14% | Positive payoff |
| 100 | Nashua Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Nashua, NH | $57,870 | $10,999 | -6% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.