Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Fort Peck Community College

Montana's automotive technology programs typically place graduates above $46,000 in their first year, with Fort Peck's estimated outcomes falling somewhat short of this benchmark. Based on peer programs nationally, this associate degree suggests around $43,000 in first-year earnings—about $4,000 below what similar programs at Helena College and MSU Billings report for their graduates.

The estimated debt of $11,425 is notably lower than both state and national norms for this field, which matters more than it might seem. That modest borrowing produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, meaning graduates would dedicate roughly three months of gross pay to clear their education debt—well within manageable territory even at the lower earnings estimate. For students considering automotive careers in Montana's rural communities, where living costs run lower than urban areas, this calculus may work differently than the raw numbers suggest.

The catch is that we're working entirely from estimates here, since Fort Peck's graduate cohort is too small to report publicly. If you're serious about this program, contact Fort Peck directly about where their recent graduates actually land—both geographically and financially. The vehicle maintenance field offers stable employment across Montana, but you'll want confirmation that this specific program connects students to those opportunities rather than simply assuming peer-program outcomes will materialize.