Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Cosumnes River College

California's automotive technology programs show a wide performance gap, and Cosumnes River College appears positioned near the middle. Similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $39,800, while proprietary schools like San Joaquin Valley College report their graduates earning $64,000—a significant premium that likely reflects more industry-specific training or stronger employer pipelines.

The estimated debt of $11,425 sits well below both the state median ($18,788) and national median ($12,000) for automotive associate degrees. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, graduates from comparable programs would need roughly four months of gross income to cover their educational investment—a manageable burden that leaves room for tool purchases and certification costs that automotive techs typically face. This matters in a field where your earning potential often depends as much on your specialty certifications and tool collection as your degree.

The challenge is that this program's actual outcomes remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts. The state median suggests modest starting pay that trails national figures by about $3,000, which could reflect California's competitive market or the mix of shops and dealerships students enter. For families comfortable with some uncertainty, the low estimated debt provides a cushion if actual outcomes fall short of the peer-program benchmarks.