Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Central New Mexico Community College

Starting salaries just under $37,000 put this program well below what automotive technicians typically earn after completing associate degrees elsewhere. In New Mexico, the median graduate in this field starts at $44,000—about $7,700 more than CNM's outcomes suggest. Nationally, the gap is similar, with typical programs producing first-year earnings around $43,000. New Mexico Junior College, for comparison, shows graduates earning over $52,000. That's a substantial difference for the same credential in the same state.

The estimated debt of $11,425 is modest—actually below the national median for automotive programs—and with that first-year salary, it represents a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings do grow to about $41,600 by year four, but that 14% increase still leaves graduates behind their peers who started at higher salaries elsewhere.

The practical concern here is opportunity cost. If your child can access one of New Mexico's stronger automotive programs, they'd likely start their career with significantly higher earning power. CNM's relatively low first-year outcomes suggest either weaker industry connections, curriculum gaps, or graduates entering less specialized (and lower-paying) technician roles. Before committing, verify whether this program prepares students for ASE certifications and has strong dealer or shop placement relationships—factors that often explain the earnings gap between programs training for the same occupation.