Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Ridgewater College
a smaller institution with 2,048 students in Willmar, MN.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $38,001/yr, roughly in line with the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 83.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies's career paths, with 14% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 24% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $38,001 far exceeding the $9,885 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #112 of 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, Ridgewater College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $38,001 to $49,744 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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
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Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.