Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID · Public · Certificate

with a mid-sized student body of 5,898 in Nampa, ID.

Program Analysis

At $36,676/yr, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from College of Western Idaho land near the $38,662 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 156.8x 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 29% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $7,898 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #59 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 $36,676 to $50,627 over five years — a 38% 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.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
72
Score
73
High End
Earnings $36,676/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$541K
8.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
162.3x
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 (In-State)
$3,336
Out-of-state: $7,344
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,898
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,627
38% growth from Year 1

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%
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 →

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 College of Western Idaho

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at College of Western Idaho?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How safe is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from automation?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at College of Western Idaho?
At $7,898 in median debt, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from College of Western Idaho carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes College of Western Idaho's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program stand out?
The #59 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 64 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths, including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →