Vehicle Repair Technology at Northwest Iowa Community College

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

a smaller institution with 856 students in Sheldon, IA.

Program Analysis

Northwest Iowa Community College Vehicle Repair Technology graduates command $52,174/yr out of the gate, well above the $38,662 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 38.4x 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.

With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,326 in median debt clears fast against $52,174 in annual earnings.

Ranked #146 out of 409 programs, Northwest Iowa Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $52,174/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$52K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
38.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$14,220
Out-of-state: $14,820
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,326
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,849
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

Other Majors at Northwest Iowa Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwest Iowa Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
At 65/100, Northwest Iowa 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.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Northwest Iowa Community College?
Median debt of just $11,326 against $52,174/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.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Northwest Iowa Community College?
The DOL recognizes 64 apprenticeship pathways related to Vehicle Repair Technology. For students weighing Northwest Iowa Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Vehicle Repair Technology workers?
Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Northwest Iowa Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →