Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, NE · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 6,235 in Lincoln, NE.

Program Analysis

At $52,556 per year, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from Southeast Community College Area significantly outpace the $38,662 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 78.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $10,187 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Southeast Community College Area ranks #46 among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $52,556 to $55,467 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $52,556/yr (36% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$559K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
78.9x
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)
$7,080
Out-of-state: $8,520
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,187
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,467
6% 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 Southeast Community College Area

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southeast Community College Area?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
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.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southeast Community College Area?
Median debt of just $10,187 against $52,556/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Southeast Community College Area rank so high for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, Southeast Community College Area's #46 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies connects to 64 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →