Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, IA · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 3,107 students in Fort Dodge, IA.

Program Analysis

Iowa Central Community College Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates command $49,556/yr out of the gate, well above the $38,662 national median. That 28% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 52.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 9% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $49,556 in annual earnings.

At #109 of 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, Iowa Central Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $55,687 are relatively flat compared to the $49,556 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $49,556/yr (28% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$567K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.7x
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)
$10,752
Out-of-state: $15,336
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,687
12% 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

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa Central Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Iowa Central Community College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program score?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies field.
How safe is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from automation?
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 Iowa Central Community College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $49,556/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 Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies connects to 64 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →