Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Rock Valley College

Rockford, IL · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 4,362 students in Rockford, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,625/yr, edging above the $38,662 national average for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 162.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Rock Valley College ranks #22 among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $41,625-to-$76,119 earnings arc over five years reflects a 83% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 64 apprenticeship pathways connected to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $41,625/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$730K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
170.9x
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)
$4,274
Out-of-state: $21,344
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,119
83% 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 Rock Valley College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rock Valley College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program score?
At 75/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How safe is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
What makes Rock Valley College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program stand out?
Ranked #22 of 409 programs nationally, Rock Valley College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
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 →