Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Cochise County Community College District

Drawing on outcomes from three comparable Arizona auto tech programs, this associate's degree appears positioned for manageable debt with modest early earnings. At an estimated $11,425 in debt against first-year earnings around $40,200, graduates would owe roughly 28 cents for every dollar earned—a workable ratio that suggests the program won't saddle students with crushing payments as they start their careers.

The earnings picture tells a more sobering story. While similar Arizona programs produce first-year wages near the state median of $40,200, that's about $2,700 below the national benchmark for auto tech associate's degrees. More concerning is the gulf between this estimate and what Pima Community College's program delivers—over $52,000 for first-year graduates. That $12,000 gap represents real money in an industry where technicians often face significant tool investments and ongoing certification costs.

For families considering this route, the key question is whether Cochise's program leads to the same employer connections and skill certifications as stronger-performing Arizona schools. The relatively low debt burden creates breathing room, but starting $12,000 behind Pima graduates means a longer path to financial stability. If your student can access Pima or similar programs producing documented higher earnings, that difference will compound over a career. If Cochise offers location advantages or specialized training the data doesn't capture, verify those claims with actual employer partnerships and graduate placement records before committing.