Vehicle Repair Technology at Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a compact campus enrolling 2,083 students in Rosemount, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Dakota County Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology program earn $51,116/yr in their first year — 32% above the $38,662 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 49.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Vehicle Repair Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,000 in median debt against $51,116 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #111 ranking among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs places Dakota County Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 23% earnings increase from $51,116 to $62,963 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 64 apprenticeship pathways connected to Vehicle Repair Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $51,116/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$654K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
50.9x
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
$12,838
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,963
23% 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 Dakota County Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dakota County Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology program score?
At 68/100, Dakota County Technical College's Vehicle Repair Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Repair Technology?
For Dakota County Technical College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Vehicle Repair Technology rated "AI-Proof" — 86% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Dakota County Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $51,116/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.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Dakota County Technical College?
If Dakota County Technical 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.
Is there demand for Vehicle Repair Technology workers?
Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Dakota County Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MN may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →