Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Front Range Community College

Graduates from this program earn $36,836 in their first year, putting them near the bottom quartile nationally for automotive technicians but squarely in the middle for Colorado. That positioning matters: while peer programs at Community College of Aurora and Spartan produce graduates earning $55,000+, Front Range sits closer to Arapahoe Community College's outcomes. The modest $1,500 earnings gain over four years suggests graduates reach their earnings ceiling quickly—common in this trade, but worth noting given stronger growth patterns at some competing programs.

The estimated debt of $11,425 creates a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio, substantially better than Colorado's typical $17,318 for automotive programs. This is genuinely good news: at these income levels, an extra $6,000 in debt would significantly extend repayment timelines. Within a year of graduation, a technician earning $36,836 could realistically manage these payments while building their career.

The challenge is reconciling Front Range's mid-pack Colorado performance with its bottom-quartile national standing. Given that 17 Colorado schools offer this program and several produce notably stronger outcomes within the same metro area, parents should understand they're choosing accessibility over earnings potential. If your child can gain admission to Aurora or Aims, the $10,000-20,000 higher starting salary justifies the comparison shopping. If Front Range's location or admissions work better for your family, the debt load at least won't compound a modest earnings start.