Vehicle Repair Technology at Washburn Institute of Technology

Topeka, KS · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

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 Repair Technology. 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 Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology, 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 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

Explore what Vehicle Repair Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 409 programs nationwide.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Washburn Institute of Technology

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology field.
Will AI replace Vehicle Repair Technology jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Vehicle Repair Technology work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Washburn Institute of Technology's score of 62/100 reflects this durability.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology 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.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Washburn Institute of Technology?
Yes — 64 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Vehicle Repair Technology career paths, including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Washburn Institute of Technology.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
The very large job market (214,000 annual openings) works in favor of Vehicle Repair Technology graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →