Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park

Melrose Park, IL · Private for-profit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 1,345 in Melrose Park, IL.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,767/yr fall 15% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.

At $13,062 in median debt against $32,767 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #336 out of 409 programs, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park's financial outcomes for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,767 to $43,226 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 64 registered apprenticeships mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
54
Score
55
High End
Earnings $32,767/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$456K
7.2% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$13,062
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,226
32% 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

Other Majors at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park?
This program scores 54/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How safe is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from automation?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Is Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park a good choice for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 64 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths, including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
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 →