Vehicle Repair Technology at Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, IA · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a smaller institution with 995 students in Estherville, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,586/yr, roughly in line with the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 50.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #210 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, Iowa Lakes Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
60
Score
61
High End
Earnings $34,586/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$362K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
50.3x
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)
$7,196
Out-of-state: $7,644

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

See the full career breakdown for Vehicle Repair Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Iowa Lakes Community College and 408 other schools.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa Lakes Community College

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 60/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Iowa Lakes Community College?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Is Vehicle Repair Technology from Iowa Lakes Community College a future-proof career choice?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Vehicle Repair Technology work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Iowa Lakes Community College's score of 60/100 reflects this durability.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Iowa Lakes Community College?
If Iowa Lakes Community 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?
At 214,000 annual openings, Vehicle Repair Technology has a very large employment base. Iowa Lakes Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →