Vehicle Repair Technology at Automeca Technical College-Ponce

Ponce, PR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a compact campus enrolling 284 students in Ponce, PR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $15,287 place Automeca Technical College-Ponce below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 27.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 38% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $15,287 far exceeding the $2,950 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #407 ranking among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs places Automeca Technical College-Ponce in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $15,287-to-$23,354 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 64 apprenticeship pathways connected to Vehicle Repair Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
42
Score
43
High End
Earnings $15,287/yr (-60% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$258K
11.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
29.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$8,895
Median Debt at Graduation
$2,950
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$23,354
53% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment $82,730 +6.1% 76%
Avionics technicians $81,390 +8.2% 76%
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830 +8.1% 68%
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment
$82,730
+6.1% growth 76% AI-proof
Avionics technicians
$81,390
+8.2% growth 76% AI-proof
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$79,830
+8.1% growth 68% AI-proof

View all 19 career paths with full salary data →

Vehicle Repair Technology Career Guide

What can you do with a Vehicle Repair Technology credential from Automeca Technical College-Ponce? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Automeca Technical College-Ponce

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Automeca Technical College-Ponce's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Vehicle Repair Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Repair Technology?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Automeca Technical College-Ponce graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Automeca Technical College-Ponce?
Median debt of just $2,950 against $15,287/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why are Vehicle Repair Technology earnings lower at Automeca Technical College-Ponce?
Starting salary is one data point. If Automeca Technical College-Ponce's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Automeca Technical College-Ponce?
There are 64 registered apprenticeships connected to Vehicle Repair Technology occupations, such as Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only) and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Auto Serv). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Vehicle Repair Technology workers?
The very large job market (214,000 annual openings) works in favor of Vehicle Repair Technology graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →