Vehicle Repair Technology at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park

Melrose Park, IL · Private for-profit · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

with a smaller student body of 1,345 in Melrose Park, IL.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,767/yr fall 15% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.

At $13,062 in median debt against $32,767 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #336 out of 409 programs, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park's financial outcomes for Vehicle Repair Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,767 to $43,226 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 64 registered apprenticeships mapped to Vehicle Repair Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
54
Score
55
High End
Earnings $32,767/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$456K
7.2% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$13,062
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,226
32% 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 Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Repair Technology at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park?
This program scores 54/100 — 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 Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park a future-proof career choice?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 14% of Vehicle Repair Technology tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 19 of 19 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Is Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park a good choice for Vehicle Repair Technology despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park?
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.
What's the job market like for Vehicle Repair Technology from Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park 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 →