Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Certificate

with a mid-sized student body of 16,131 in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,091/yr fall 33% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 88.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 14% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.

At #202 of 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, South Texas College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $41,838 show a 60% jump from the $26,091 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
61
Score
62
High End
Earnings $26,091/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$458K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
93.1x
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)
$4,920
Out-of-state: $7,500
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,838
60% 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 South Texas College

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 Maintenance and Repair Technologies at South Texas College?
This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.
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.
Is South Texas College a good choice for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If South Texas College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable 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 →