Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at El Paso Community College

Similar Vehicle Maintenance programs across Texas suggest first-year earnings around $38,500—reasonable for an associate's degree, though trailing top performers like Tarrant County College ($50,500) by a notable margin. With estimated debt of about $10,400, graduates would face manageable monthly payments relative to their starting income. However, the four-year earnings figure of $29,100 raises questions about whether this specific cohort struggled with employment consistency or career progression that peer programs don't typically show.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks solid on paper at 0.27, well below concerning thresholds. But that's only meaningful if graduates actually earn near the state median. The reality is we're comparing estimated first-year figures against a lower actual four-year outcome for this program's graduates—a reversal of the normal earnings growth pattern in skilled trades. This could reflect local labor market conditions in El Paso, where automotive technician wages may lag other Texas metros, or it might indicate placement challenges specific to this program.

For parents, here's what matters: if your child is committed to automotive work and plans to stay in the El Paso area, this program offers a low-debt entry point to the field. But push the school for actual placement rates and local employer connections, because the earnings trajectory here doesn't match what comparable programs across Texas typically deliver. If flexibility matters, consider whether stronger-performing programs within driving distance might justify modest relocation.