Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Dixie Technical College

At $50,289 in first-year earnings, this automotive program substantially outperforms both state and national outcomes. While the debt figure of $9,500 is estimated from comparable technical college programs, the earnings here are actual reported outcomes for Dixie Tech graduates—and they're exceptional. Nationally, the typical automotive certificate holder earns around $36,000, meaning these graduates start nearly $14,000 ahead. Even within Utah, where similar programs cluster around $38,000, Dixie Tech's outcomes stand significantly higher.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests graduates could pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings. Even if actual debt runs moderately higher than the estimate, these earnings provide substantial cushion. The program's location in St. George—a growing market with strong demand for skilled trades—likely contributes to the strong placement outcomes.

For parents weighing this investment, the combination of actual strong earnings and likely manageable debt makes this program compelling. The risk lies mainly in whether your student will actually complete the program and enter the field, not whether the credential itself delivers value. Those who finish appear to launch into solid middle-class careers immediately.