Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Alexandria Technical & Community College

Alexandria Technical's automotive program launches graduates into surprisingly strong earnings territory—$65,311 in the first year places them in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Minnesota's 19 automotive programs. That's over $50,000 more than the national median for this field and roughly $14,000 above Minnesota's typical auto tech graduate. At $12,000 in debt, students owe less than three months of first-year income, making this one of the more financially accessible technical programs available.

The slight earnings dip to $62,391 by year four isn't unusual in automotive repair, where early-career technicians often max out flat-rate pay quickly or shift into roles with different compensation structures. What matters more is that even after this adjustment, graduates still substantially outperform their peers statewide and nationally. They're earning $11,000 more than graduates from Minnesota State Community and Technical College four years out.

For families looking at technical education in Minnesota, this program delivers what matters most: immediate earning power with minimal debt burden. Your student could realistically pay off their loans within a year while earning significantly more than most automotive technicians in the state. This is particularly valuable in a field where certifications and hands-on skills matter more than where you got your degree—Alexandria Tech's graduates prove they're getting both training quality and strong employer connections.