Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California

Long Beach, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 1,447 students in Long Beach, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,458 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.

The 30% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $17,336 in median debt against $39,458 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #267 ranking among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs places Universal Technical Institute-Southern California in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 39% earnings increase from $39,458 to $54,733 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
58
Score
59
High End
Earnings $39,458/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$586K
8.5% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$17,336
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,733
39% 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 Universal Technical Institute-Southern California's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program score?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
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 →