Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northwest Iowa Community College

Sheldon, IA · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 856 students in Sheldon, IA.

Program Analysis

Northwest Iowa Community College Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates command $52,174/yr out of the gate, well above the $38,662 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 38.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,326 in median debt clears fast against $52,174 in annual earnings.

Ranked #146 out of 409 programs, Northwest Iowa Community College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $52,174/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$52K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
38.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$14,220
Out-of-state: $14,820
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,326
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,849
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Northwest Iowa 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 Northwest Iowa Community College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program score?
At 65/100, Northwest Iowa Community College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies jobs?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northwest Iowa Community College?
Median debt of just $11,326 against $52,174/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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Yes — 64 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths, including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
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 →