Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Clark College

Clark College's automotive program delivers exactly what skilled trades should: solid entry wages that grow meaningfully with experience. Graduates start at $45,656—above both the national median ($42,896) and Washington state median ($41,926)—and see their earnings climb 19% to $54,097 by year four. Among Washington's 25 automotive programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, outperforming competitors like Spokane Community College by nearly $16,000 in year-four earnings.

The debt picture is equally practical. At $10,370, graduates owe less than the national median ($12,000) and considerably less than the typical Washington program ($12,690). That 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio means the average student could pay off their loans in under three months of gross income—a remarkably clean financial start for someone entering the workforce.

The upward earnings trajectory matters here. Many trades programs see wages plateau quickly, but Clark grads gain nearly $8,500 in earning power over four years. For parents worried about return on investment, the math is straightforward: manageable debt, above-average starting pay in a field with consistent demand, and clear evidence of wage growth as skills develop. This is the kind of vocational program that justifies its cost without requiring mental gymnastics.