Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Parkland College

Champaign, IL · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 3,293 in Champaign, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Parkland College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program earn $51,093/yr in their first year — 32% above the $38,662 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 62.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 1% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At $7,000 in median debt against $51,093 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #78 of 409 nationally, this is a top-5% Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $53,706 are relatively flat compared to the $51,093 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
70
Score
71
High End
Earnings $51,093/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$541K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.1x
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)
$8,568
Out-of-state: $26,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,706
5% 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

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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 Parkland College?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Parkland College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Parkland College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from Parkland College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Parkland College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program stand out?
Ranked #78 of 409 programs nationally, Parkland College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies connects to 64 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
The career paths mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies have roughly 214,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →