Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, MN · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 2,083 students in Rosemount, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Dakota County Technical College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program earn $51,116/yr in their first year — 32% above the $38,662 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 49.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,000 in median debt against $51,116 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #111 ranking among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs places Dakota County Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 23% earnings increase from $51,116 to $62,963 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $51,116/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$654K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
50.9x
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
$12,838
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,963
23% 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dakota County Technical College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program score?
At 68/100, Dakota County Technical College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Dakota County Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $51,116/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies connects to 64 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies workers?
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 →