Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Lancaster, PA · Public · Associate Degree

A 53% admission rate makes Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,449 students in Lancaster, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,020 track close to the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 27.2x 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 28% gap from the optimistic case.

At $10,610 in median debt against $35,020 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #339 of 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $35,020 to $47,791 over five years — a 36% 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.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
54
Score
55
High End
Earnings $35,020/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$509K
8.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
28.1x
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
$18,100
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,610
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,791
36% 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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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program score?
A score of 54/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology trails the majority of Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies jobs?
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.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
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.
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 →