Vehicle Repair Technology at North Iowa Area Community College

Mason City, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

with a smaller student body of 1,271 in Mason City, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,882 at North Iowa Area Community College come in 24% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Repair Technology programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 41.7x 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 8% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

With first-year pay of $47,882 far exceeding the $6,238 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #145 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, North Iowa Area Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,412 are relatively flat compared to the $47,882 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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $47,882/yr (24% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$543K
2.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.2x
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)
$12,872
Out-of-state: $18,490
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,238
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,412
12% 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

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Iowa Area Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does North Iowa Area Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
At 65/100, North Iowa Area Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Repair Technology?
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 North Iowa Area Community College?
Median debt of just $6,238 against $47,882/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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Vehicle Repair Technology program at North Iowa Area Community College?
The DOL recognizes 64 apprenticeship pathways related to Vehicle Repair Technology. For students weighing North Iowa Area Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
The very large job market (214,000 annual openings) works in favor of Vehicle Repair Technology graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →