Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Aims Community College

Aims Community College's automotive program produces first-year earnings of $47,529 that outpace both the Colorado median ($40,870) and national median ($42,896) for similar programs. With an estimated $11,425 in debt based on comparable programs at the school, graduates would face monthly payments around $130—manageable on an automotive technician's salary. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 suggests a reasonable financial foundation for entering this field.

The troubling part is what happens next. Earnings drop to $40,818 by year four, a 14% decline that contradicts the typical career trajectory for skilled trades. While some variation is normal as technicians change employers or specialize, this downward trend raises questions about whether graduates are finding stable positions in the field or leaving automotive work altogether. Compare this to Community College of Aurora's program, where graduates earn $57,677, or even Front Range's $36,836—both representing actual outcomes rather than estimates.

For parents considering this investment, the initial placement looks solid but the earnings decline is a red flag. Before enrolling, talk to the school's career services about job placement rates and whether graduates are staying in automotive careers. The relatively modest estimated debt means this isn't a financial disaster if it doesn't work out, but you want confidence that your student will be among those building earnings over time, not watching them shrink.