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Vehicle Repair Technology at Lake Area Technical College

Watertown, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a smaller institution with 1,710 students in Watertown, SD.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,080/yr, edging above the $38,662 national average for Vehicle Repair Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 41.0x 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 12% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At $12,000 in median debt against $47,080 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #163 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, Lake Area Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $54,641 are relatively flat compared to the $47,080 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
64
Score
65
High End
Earnings $47,080/yr (22% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$560K
3.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
41.7x
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
$13,436
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,641
16% 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

Vehicle Repair Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

View all 409 schools offering Vehicle Repair Technology →

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($76,663) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($76,663) Ferris State University ($68,791) West Los Angeles College ($65,978) Alexandria Technical & Community College ($65,311) San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia ($64,326) San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center ($64,326) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($59,441)

Other Majors at Lake Area Technical College

Construction Engineering Technology ($75,253) Nursing ($66,233) Electromechanical Technology ($60,085) Clinical Laboratory Science ($47,512) Precision Metalworking ($43,436) Practical Nursing ($42,160) Agricultural Business ($41,340) Criminal Justice ($41,230)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Vehicle Repair Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Lake Area Technical College?
At 64/100, Lake Area Technical 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?
For Lake Area 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 Lake Area Technical College?
At $12,000 in median debt, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Lake Area Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Lake Area Technical 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.
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 Lake Area Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in SD may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →