Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southwest University at El Paso

El Paso, TX · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 1,817 students in El Paso, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,925 place Southwest University at El Paso below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 10.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies's career paths, with 14% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $27,925 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #400 of 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, Southwest University at El Paso falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $27,925 to $34,193 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $27,925/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$354K
5.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
11.1x
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
$32,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,193
22% 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

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Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southwest University at El Paso?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Can you still earn well with Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from Southwest University at El Paso?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
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?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →