Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's automotive technology program sits in an interesting sweet spot for Texas students, though limited data means these numbers should be treated as directional. Graduates earn around $41,000 immediately after completion—slightly below the national average but noticeably above Texas's median of $38,500 (60th percentile statewide). More importantly, they carry just $10,230 in debt versus the Texas average of $17,360, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 that students can realistically manage on a technician's salary.

The flat earnings trajectory between years one and four is actually typical for skilled trades where technicians often hit their earning ceiling quickly. While top Texas programs like Tarrant County College ($50,531) deliver higher outcomes, ACC's combination of lower debt and respectable earnings makes it a safer bet than many alternatives. For students who want to work with their hands and start earning quickly, this represents a viable path—especially for those who can minimize debt further through grants or family support.

The small sample size is the main caveat here. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one or two outliers could skew these figures significantly. But the fundamentals make sense: reasonable debt, immediate employability, and earnings that beat most Texas competitors while keeping you financially flexible.