Vehicle Repair Technology at Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

serving 10,530 students in Grand Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,927 track close to the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 107.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 10% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At $6,460 in median debt against $37,927 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #62 of 409 nationally, this is a top-5% Vehicle Repair Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $43,271 are relatively flat compared to the $37,927 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Vehicle Repair Technology offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
71
Score
71
High End
Earnings $37,927/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$442K
3.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
108.9x
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 (In-State)
$4,059
Out-of-state: $11,859
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,460
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,271
14% 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

See the full career breakdown for Vehicle Repair Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Grand Rapids Community College and 408 other schools.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Grand Rapids Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Grand Rapids Community College?
This program scores 71/100 — 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 Grand Rapids Community College a future-proof career choice?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 14% of Vehicle Repair Technology tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 19 of 19 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Grand Rapids Community College?
Median debt of just $6,460 against $37,927/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.
What makes Grand Rapids Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program stand out?
The #62 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Vehicle Repair Technology program at Grand Rapids Community College?
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.
What's the job market like for Vehicle Repair Technology from Grand Rapids Community College?
Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Grand Rapids Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →