Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Rochester Community and Technical College

Rochester, MN · Public · Certificate

a smaller institution with 3,122 students in Rochester, MN.

Program Analysis

At $37,029/yr, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from Rochester Community and Technical College land near the $38,662 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 88.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 34% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Rochester Community and Technical College ranks #95 among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 46% earnings increase from $37,029 to $54,143 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $37,029/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$589K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
92.6x
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
$6,359
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,143
46% 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

Other Majors at Rochester Community and Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Rochester Community and Technical College?
At 69/100, Rochester Community and Technical College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies jobs?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Is Rochester Community and Technical College one of the best schools for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
The #95 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 Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
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.
Is there demand for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies workers?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →