Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Washburn Institute of Technology

Topeka, KS · Public · Certificate

Washburn Institute of Technology accepts 41% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 490 in Topeka, KS.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,875/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.

The 54.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.

With first-year pay of $35,875 far exceeding the $5,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #181 out of 409 programs, Washburn Institute of Technology's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,875 to $48,275 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 64 registered apprenticeships mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $35,875/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$512K
7.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
56.2x
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
$9,120
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,275
35% 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

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Explore the Degree Alternative

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Washburn Institute of Technology?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies field.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
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.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from Washburn Institute of Technology?
Median debt of just $5,500 against $35,875/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
There are 64 registered apprenticeships connected to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →