Vehicle Repair Technology at CET-Colton

Colton, CA · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a compact campus enrolling 191 students in Colton, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,336/yr fall 32% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 36% 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 $7,251 in median debt against $26,336 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #391 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, CET-Colton falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $26,336 to $39,279 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
49
Score
50
High End
Earnings $26,336/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$430K
10.5% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$7,251
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,279
49% 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

What can you do with a Vehicle Repair Technology credential from CET-Colton? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at CET-Colton

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Repair Technology at CET-Colton?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Vehicle Repair Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Repair Technology?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. CET-Colton graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from CET-Colton?
Median debt of just $7,251 against $26,336/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.
Why are Vehicle Repair Technology earnings lower at CET-Colton?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Vehicle Repair Technology program at CET-Colton?
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 CET-Colton.
Will Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from CET-Colton find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Vehicle Repair Technology have roughly 214,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →