Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Cape Cod Community College

The estimated $11,425 in debt for this automotive program sits comfortably below both the national and Massachusetts medians, which matters when you're evaluating a hands-on trade credential. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, comparable programs suggest graduates could manage their loan payments on roughly a quarter of their first-year income—a workable arrangement for someone entering a field where experience matters as much as the diploma.

Here's the challenge: automotive technology earnings in Massachusetts appear more modest than the national picture. While similar programs nationally produce median first-year earnings around $42,900, Massachusetts programs cluster closer to $39,800. Cape Cod's location may complicate this further—the Cape's seasonal economy and distance from major urban repair markets could limit both job availability and starting wages compared to programs near Boston or Worcester. The top-performing Massachusetts program (Mass Bay Community College) reports $43,600, but that's in the metro Boston area where dealer networks and specialty shops create more competitive hiring.

For a student committed to automotive work and planning to stay on the Cape, the moderate debt load makes this manageable. But families should realistically assess the local job market and consider whether relocating after graduation might be necessary to hit those higher earning benchmarks. The debt won't crush you, but the Cape's geography means your child might need to go where the work is.