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Vehicle Repair Technology at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

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 Repair Technology. 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 Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology graduates.

At #202 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

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 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

Explore what Vehicle Repair Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 409 programs nationwide.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology at South Texas College?

This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.

Is Vehicle Repair Technology from South Texas College a future-proof career choice?

For South Texas College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Vehicle Repair Technology rated "AI-Proof" — 86% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.

Is South Texas College a good choice for Vehicle Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology graduates?

If South Texas College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 64 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.

Is there demand for Vehicle Repair Technology workers?

Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For South Texas College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →