Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at CET-Colton

CET-Colton graduates start significantly behind their peers—earning $26,336 in year one places this program in just the 5th percentile nationally and bottom quarter in California, where the state median is $35,784. Yet the debt burden of $7,257 is manageable, and there's a striking trajectory: earnings jump 57% by year four to $41,312, surpassing both state and national medians. That's a dramatic reversal, though it's worth noting this catch-up still leaves graduates well below top California programs like West LA College ($65,978) or Victor Valley ($49,729).

The program serves a predominantly low-income population (53% receive Pell grants) and delivers what matters most for working-class families: affordable training with improving financial prospects. While first-year earnings may require supplemental income or family support, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates aren't saddled with crushing payments during those lean early months. By year four, they're earning competitive wages without the debt burden many trade schools impose.

The bottom line: This isn't the fastest path to automotive technician earnings in California, but it's a reasonable bet if minimizing debt matters more than maximizing immediate income. Parents should know their graduate will likely struggle financially in year one, but the growth pattern suggests the credential eventually delivers solid middle-class wages without risking financial catastrophe.