Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates see impressive income growth, jumping from $38,623 in year one to over $50,000 by year four—a 30% increase that outpaces most trade programs. This earnings trajectory places graduates in the 66th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Texas programs, meaning they're earning more than most automotive technicians who complete similar certificates elsewhere. The year-four earnings actually exceed what graduates from several competing Texas programs make even early on.

The catch is debt. At $32,500, graduates carry nearly triple the national median for this credential and more than double what students at other Texas schools typically borrow. That first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 means new graduates face nearly a full year's salary in loans—manageable for some, but tighter than the typical trade program. By year four, when earnings hit $50,000+, the debt burden becomes more reasonable, especially for graduates who can secure higher-paying shop positions or move into specialized repair work.

This program works best for students confident they'll stick with automotive work long enough to benefit from that strong earnings growth curve. The two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants suggest this serves working-class families willing to accept higher upfront debt for above-average career prospects in Houston's robust automotive sector. If your child plans to work their way up in the field, the investment pencils out—just expect tighter budgets in those first couple years.