Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 1,733 students in Wahpeton, ND.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $56,659 put North Dakota State College of Science's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program 47% above the national median of $38,662 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 54.2x 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.

With first-year pay of $56,659 far exceeding the $11,554 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #83 of 409 nationally, this is a top-5% Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $63,841 are relatively flat compared to the $56,659 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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
70
Score
70
High End
Earnings $56,659/yr (47% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$650K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.9x
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 (In-State)
$11,856
Out-of-state: $13,852
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,554
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,841
13% 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 North Dakota State College of Science

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 70/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at North Dakota State College of Science?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI replace Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies jobs?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 14% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from North Dakota State College of Science?
At $11,554 in median debt, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from North Dakota State College of Science carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does North Dakota State College of Science rank so high for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
The #83 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
There are 64 registered apprenticeships connected to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies occupations. 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 Maintenance and Repair Technologies workers?
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 →