Vehicle Repair Technology at Southwest University at El Paso

El Paso, TX · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

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 Repair Technology — 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 Repair Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Repair Technology'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 Repair Technology 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 Repair Technology 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 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 Southwest University at El Paso

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 Repair Technology at Southwest University at El Paso?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Vehicle Repair Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Repair Technology?
For Southwest University at El Paso 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.
Can you still earn well with Vehicle Repair Technology 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
Beyond Southwest University at El Paso's classroom route, 64 registered apprenticeships map to Vehicle Repair Technology careers — including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Southwest University at El Paso graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →