Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Bay de Noc Community College

Similar automotive programs across Michigan suggest first-year earnings around $39,400—a figure that puts this credential right at the state median and slightly ahead of the $35,900 national benchmark. With estimated debt of $11,000, you're looking at a manageable 3.3-month payback period if graduates apply their full first-year salary to loans. That's a reasonable return for a certificate that gets someone into the workforce quickly.

The challenge is uncertainty. These estimates come from just five Michigan programs in the state database, and the earnings range is substantial—from $35,300 at one school to nearly $69,000 at Ferris State. Location matters tremendously in automotive work: dealerships in metro Detroit pay differently than independent shops in the Upper Peninsula. Bay de Noc's small size (only 24% of students receive Pell grants suggests a modest enrollment) means the Department of Education can't publish actual graduate outcomes, leaving you to rely on what peer programs typically produce.

For a parent, the key question is whether your child can graduate with debt close to that $11,000 estimate and secure employment in a market where wages support it. If they're staying in the Escanaba area, research local automotive employer wages directly. The program appears structured for a quick return on investment—if the estimates hold and your child lands in the right market.