Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Cuyahoga Community College District

Cuyahoga Community College's automotive program stands out in Ohio, with graduates earning $46,249 in their first year—above both the state median of $42,338 and the national median of $42,896 for similar programs. While the estimated debt figure of $11,425 is drawn from comparable associate programs nationally, it's notably lower than what other Ohio automotive schools typically produce ($16,166 median), suggesting this could be a more affordable path into the field.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary, a manageable starting point for a skilled trade. Based on patterns from peer programs, this level of debt typically allows mechanics to begin saving or investing in their own tools within their first year of work. The earnings also compare favorably to University of Northwestern Ohio's program, which produces similar first-year outcomes, and significantly outpace Ohio Technical College's $35,553 median.

For parents weighing this investment, the combination of above-average earnings and below-average estimated debt positions this as one of the stronger automotive programs in the state. The caveat is that we're working with estimated debt figures rather than actual graduate outcomes, so individual costs could vary. Still, Cuyahoga's community college pricing structure and solid graduate earnings make this a practical choice for students pursuing automotive careers.