Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Las Vegas

This Aviation Institute program delivers strong earnings potential that significantly outperforms both national and Nevada benchmarks, but comes with notably higher debt than typical for this field. Graduates earn $39,480 in their first year—10% above the national median and 17% above Nevada's median for vehicle maintenance programs. Among Nevada's seven programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it as the top performer compared to competitors like Advanced Training Institute and United Education Institute-Las Vegas.

The concerning factor is debt load. At $32,376, students borrow nearly three times the national median ($11,000) and 2.5 times Nevada's median ($12,849) for similar programs. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 remains manageable, and strong earnings growth (+29% by year four, reaching $51,017) helps justify the higher upfront cost. The program serves a largely working-class population (63% receive Pell grants) and provides robust sample data from 100+ graduates.

For families weighing this investment, the higher debt is offset by significantly better earning outcomes than cheaper alternatives. While you'll pay more upfront than at most automotive programs, the superior job placement and earnings trajectory suggest this premium is worthwhile for students serious about maximizing their career potential in vehicle maintenance.