Vehicle Repair Technology at Indian Hills Community College

Ottumwa, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a smaller institution with 1,635 students in Ottumwa, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Indian Hills Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program earn $50,901/yr in their first year — 32% above the $38,662 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 54.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Vehicle Repair Technology involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $11,000 in median debt against $50,901 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Indian Hills Community College ranks #90 among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $50,901/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$51K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,744
Out-of-state: $12,240
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,784
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Vehicle Repair Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Indian Hills Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Repair Technology?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Indian Hills Community College graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Indian Hills Community College?
At $11,000 in median debt, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Indian Hills Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Indian Hills Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program stand out?
Ranked #90 of 409 programs nationally, Indian Hills Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Repair Technology?
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.
Will Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Indian Hills Community College find jobs?
Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Indian Hills Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →