Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Community College of Aurora

Community College of Aurora's automotive program delivers standout results: first-year earnings of $57,677 place graduates well above both the state median ($40,870) and national median ($42,896) for this credential. While the debt figure of $11,425 is estimated from similar community college programs nationally—not this school's actual graduate data—the earnings are real and reported, and they tell a compelling story. Even if actual debt ran somewhat higher than this estimate, graduates would still be looking at roughly $5 in earnings for every $1 borrowed.

The $57,677 starting salary rivals what graduates from Spartan College earn, and it significantly outpaces other Colorado community colleges offering automotive programs. Combined with borrowing levels that peer programs suggest should be under $12,000, this program offers one of the stronger financial returns available in technical education. The relatively low Pell grant rate (16%) may indicate this program attracts students with some existing financial resources, but the earnings speak for themselves.

For families weighing automotive technology programs in Colorado, this stands out as a top choice. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 suggests manageable loan payments even if actual borrowing runs higher than peer averages, and the reported earnings put graduates in a strong position to launch careers without financial strain.