Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Central Lakes College-Brainerd
with a smaller student body of 1,486 in Brainerd, MN.
Program Analysis
Central Lakes College-Brainerd's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates start at $41,672/yr — above the $38,662 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 90.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies's career paths, with 14% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 25% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,500 in median debt clears fast against $41,672 in annual earnings.
At #63 of 409 nationally, this is a top-5% Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $41,672 to $55,050 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies 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% |
About Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies Careers
Your career starts on the shop floor, grabbing a diagnostic scanner to pinpoint engine trouble or getting your hands dirty with a wrench during a brake job. As an automotive service technician, your day involves solving complex mechanical and electrical puzzles in a busy garage to get cars safely back on the road. You could also specialize in heavy-duty vehicles, working on the powerful diesel engines that keep our country’s trucks and buses running.
Read the full Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career guide →
Compare & Explore
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies Overview
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Other Schools
Other Majors at Central Lakes College-Brainerd
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.