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Vehicle Repair Technology at Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

with a smaller student body of 3,029 in Council Bluffs, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,852/yr, edging above the $38,662 national average for Vehicle Repair Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 39.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% 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 $13,000 in median debt against $46,852 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #158 ranking among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs places Iowa Western Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $46,852 to $53,297 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
64
Score
64
High End
Earnings $46,852/yr (21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$544K
3.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.1x
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)
$13,560
Out-of-state: $13,860
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,297
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

Explore what Vehicle Repair Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 409 programs nationwide.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

View all 409 schools offering Vehicle Repair Technology →

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($76,663) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($76,663) Ferris State University ($68,791) West Los Angeles College ($65,978) Alexandria Technical & Community College ($65,311) San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia ($64,326) San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center ($64,326) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($59,441)

Other Majors at Iowa Western Community College

Nursing ($65,268) Dental Assisting ($64,917) HVAC Technology ($52,345) Allied Health Professions ($43,991) Practical Nursing ($33,043) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($28,291) Precision Metalworking ($27,761) Audio & Video Technology ($24,428)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Vehicle Repair Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Iowa Western Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
At 64/100, Iowa Western Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Vehicle Repair Technology from automation?
Vehicle Repair Technology rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 14% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Iowa Western Community College?
At $13,000 in median debt, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Iowa Western Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Iowa Western Community College?
If Iowa Western Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 64 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Iowa Western Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →