Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Erie Institute of Technology Inc

With just $23,370 in first-year earnings, Erie Institute of Technology's automotive program falls dramatically short of what graduates typically earn from these programs. That's $14,000 below Pennsylvania's median and places this program in the bottom 10% statewide—troubling when other Pennsylvania schools like Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and Aviation Institute of Maintenance produce graduates earning $50,000+. Even with the relatively modest $9,500 debt load, graduates face nearly half a year's salary in loans while earning less than they'd likely make without the credential.

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers might not reflect typical outcomes. But they're concerning enough to warrant serious investigation. Half the students here rely on Pell grants, suggesting this serves primarily working-class families who can least afford a program that underperforms the market by $14,000 annually. When top Pennsylvania programs produce graduates earning double what Erie's do, location alone can't explain this gap.

Before committing, demand current job placement rates and talk to recent graduates about their actual experiences. If these numbers hold true at scale, your child would likely fare better at almost any other Pennsylvania automotive program—or by entering the field directly through dealership training programs that pay while you learn.