Vehicle Repair Technology at Clark College

Vancouver, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a smaller institution with 4,699 students in Vancouver, WA.

Program Analysis

Clark College's Vehicle Repair Technology graduates start at $45,656/yr — above the $38,662 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 66.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Repair Technology's career paths, with 14% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 24% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,625 in median debt clears fast against $45,656 in annual earnings.

At #102 of 409 nationally, this is a top-5% Vehicle Repair Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $45,656 to $59,905 over five years — a 31% 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.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
69
Score
70
High End
Earnings $45,656/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$632K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.2x
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 (In-State)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $20,760
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,625
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,905
31% 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 Clark College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Clark College?
At 69/100, Clark College's Vehicle Repair Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Vehicle Repair Technology from automation?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Clark College graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Clark College?
Median debt of just $9,625 against $45,656/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.
What makes Clark College's Vehicle Repair Technology program stand out?
Among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, Clark College's #102 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Vehicle Repair Technology program at Clark College?
There are 64 registered apprenticeships connected to Vehicle Repair Technology occupations, such as Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only) and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Auto Serv). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Clark College find jobs?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Clark 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 →