Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degree) at Central Arizona College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,213

Est. from AZ median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,425

Est. from national median (65 programs)

Analysis

Similar automotive programs in Arizona suggest first-year earnings around $40,000 for this associate degree, which trails behind what graduates from Pima Community College's program typically earn but aligns with broader state patterns. With estimated debt of $11,425—notably lower than Arizona's typical $17,368 for these programs—the financial picture looks more manageable than many automotive tech programs in the state.

The 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio means you'd be borrowing roughly three months of first-year salary, which is reasonable for a technical credential designed to launch a trade career. Nationally, automotive associate programs cluster around $43,000 in first-year earnings, so these Arizona estimates track slightly below that benchmark. The challenge is that we're working with limited data here: the DOE suppressed the actual figures for Central Arizona College graduates because too few students completed this program to report publicly.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest a workable trade-off if your child is committed to automotive work. But without actual outcomes from this specific program, you're making decisions based on what similar Arizona schools produce—and as Pima's significantly higher earnings show, not all automotive programs deliver the same results. If possible, ask Central Arizona College directly about their graduates' placement rates and starting wages in local shops before committing.

Where Central Arizona College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all vehicle maintenance and repair technologies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies associates's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (14 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Central Arizona CollegeCoolidge	$2,250	$40,213*	—	$11,425*	—
Pima Community CollegeTucson	$2,370	$52,673*	$40,738	$5,625*	0.11
Universal Technical Institute-PhoenixAvondale	—	$40,213*	—	$17,368*	0.43
Universal Technical Institute of Arizona IncAvondale	—	$39,458*	$47,748	$17,389*	0.44
National Median	—	$42,896*	—	$12,000*	0.28

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with vehicle maintenance and repair technologies graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Avionics Technicians

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles

Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

$60,640/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

$49,670/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

Motorcycle Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central Arizona College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in AZ. Actual outcomes may vary.