Vehicle Repair Technology at Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

with a smaller student body of 2,026 in Rice Lake, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,702/yr, roughly in line with the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 131.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $35,702 far exceeding the $5,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Northwood Technical College ranks #75 among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $35,702-to-$57,842 earnings arc over five years reflects a 62% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
71
Score
71
High End
Earnings $35,702/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$627K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
138.5x
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)
$4,524
Out-of-state: $6,583
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,842
62% 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 Northwood Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Northwood Technical College?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northwood Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Vehicle Repair Technology jobs?
For Northwood 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.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Northwood Technical College?
At $5,500 in median debt, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Northwood Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Northwood Technical College rank so high for Vehicle Repair Technology?
Ranked #75 of 409 programs nationally, Northwood Technical College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
Beyond Northwood Technical College's classroom route, 64 registered apprenticeships map to Vehicle Repair Technology careers — including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
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 →