Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Similar automotive certificate programs in Arizona typically produce first-year earnings around $38,000, which would make Chandler-Gilbert's estimated debt load of $7,000 among the lowest in the field—roughly $4,700 below the state median. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within months rather than years, assuming earnings track with peer programs.

The four-year earnings figure of $67,456 is actual reported data for this program, showing substantial income growth that outpaces what most Arizona automotive programs deliver. This jump from an estimated $38,000 to nearly $67,000 suggests either strong wage progression in this trade or that graduates who stay in the field see significant returns. Comparable programs at GateWay and UTI start slightly higher but don't publicly report their four-year outcomes, making direct comparisons difficult.

The main risk here is that first-year earnings are based on seven other Arizona programs, not Chandler-Gilbert's actual graduates. If this program underperforms its peers—perhaps due to less robust employer relationships or weaker job placement—the debt picture could look less favorable. But at $7,000 borrowed for a credential that peer programs suggest can support immediate repayment, this represents relatively contained financial exposure for entry into a skilled trade with clear four-year earning potential.