Vehicle Repair Technology at Southwest Texas Junior College

Uvalde, TX · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a compact campus enrolling 3,170 students in Uvalde, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,826/yr fall 44% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 137.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 14% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.

At #200 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, Southwest Texas Junior College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $40,290 show a 85% jump from the $21,826 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
61
Score
62
High End
Earnings $21,826/yr (-44% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$383K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
144.8x
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)
$2,646
Out-of-state: $6,294
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,290
85% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Vehicle Repair Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southwest Texas Junior College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Southwest Texas Junior College?
This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.
Is Vehicle Repair Technology from Southwest Texas Junior College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Southwest Texas Junior College graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Can you still earn well with Vehicle Repair Technology from Southwest Texas Junior College?
Lower starting pay at Southwest Texas Junior College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Repair Technology?
If Southwest Texas Junior College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 64 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Vehicle Repair Technology from Southwest Texas Junior College?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Southwest Texas Junior 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 →