Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at CET-San Jose

CET-San Jose's automotive program starts rough but recovers impressively. First-year graduates earn just $26,336—landing in the bottom 5% nationally and well below California's $35,784 median. But four years out, earnings jump 57% to $41,312, finally matching what most auto techs earn right away. The $7,257 debt load is manageable, creating a low-risk entry point even if the initial earnings disappoint.

The real concern is why graduates start so far behind. Top California programs like West Los Angeles College place grads at $66,000 immediately, and even the state median is $10,000 higher than CET's first-year figure. This isn't just a gentle ramp-up period—it's a significant earnings gap that takes years to close. For a field where skilled technicians can command strong wages immediately, starting this far back suggests either weaker employer connections or less comprehensive training than competitors provide.

If your child needs flexible scheduling or specific program features CET offers, the low debt and eventual earnings recovery make this viable. But if they can access one of California's stronger automotive programs, they'd likely earn $15,000-40,000 more annually right from graduation—a massive head start that compounds over time. The program works, but dozens of alternatives work better.