Vehicle Repair Technology at Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a smaller institution with 2,164 students in Sioux Falls, SD.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,262 at Southeast Technical College come in 20% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Repair Technology programs.

With a 36.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Vehicle Repair Technology involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $46,262 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #186 ranking among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs places Southeast Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $46,262 to $54,505 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $46,262/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$560K
4.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
36.6x
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
$15,300
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,505
18% 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

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 Southeast Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southeast Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.
Will AI replace Vehicle Repair Technology jobs?
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.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Southeast Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $46,262/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 Southeast Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 64 apprenticeship pathways related to Vehicle Repair Technology. For students weighing Southeast Technical 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?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Southeast Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →