Vehicle Repair Technology at College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

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

Program Analysis

At $36,676/yr, Vehicle Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Repair Technology'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 Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology 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 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 College of Western Idaho? 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 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 Repair Technology at College of Western Idaho?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Vehicle Repair Technology nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Vehicle Repair Technology from College of Western Idaho a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. College of Western Idaho graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at College of Western Idaho?
At $7,898 in median debt, Vehicle Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
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 career paths mapped to Vehicle Repair Technology have roughly 214,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →