Vehicle Repair Technology at Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, MN · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a smaller institution with 1,382 students in Thief River Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,254 at Northland Community and Technical College come in 12% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Repair Technology programs.

The 85.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.

With first-year pay of $43,254 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #66 out of 409 programs, Northland Community and Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,254 to $52,470 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
71
Score
72
High End
Earnings $43,254/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$543K
5.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
86.7x
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
$6,262
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,470
21% 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

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

Other Majors at Northland Community and Technical 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 Northland Community and Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
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.
Will AI replace Vehicle Repair Technology jobs?
For Northland Community and Technical College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Vehicle Repair Technology rated "AI-Proof" — 86% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Northland Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $11,000 against $43,254/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Northland Community and Technical College one of the best schools for Vehicle Repair Technology?
The #66 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
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.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Northland Community and Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →