Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Automeca Technical College-Aguadilla

This automotive program delivers surprisingly strong value within Puerto Rico's economic context, despite earnings that appear low by mainland standards. While the $15,287 first-year salary ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among PR automotive programs—meaning graduates earn more than most of their local peers in the same field. The exceptionally low $3,000 debt load (95th percentile nationally for low debt) creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20, making this one of the most financially accessible automotive programs you'll find anywhere.

The 28% earnings growth to $19,507 by year four shows solid career progression, and with 91% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves a population where every dollar of debt matters. In Puerto Rico's job market, these earnings levels align more reasonably with local economic conditions than national comparisons suggest.

For families considering automotive training in Puerto Rico, this program offers genuine value: minimal debt, competitive local earnings, and strong job-readiness training. However, if your child might seek work on the mainland, understand that these earnings would be well below national automotive technician standards. This is a smart investment for staying and working in Puerto Rico, but factor in the economic realities of the local versus national job market when making your decision.