Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Great Oaks Career Campuses

Great Oaks delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid automotive training program: graduates earning $37,307 in year one, climbing to $45,197 by year four—a healthy 21% bump that shows real career progression in the trades. At $8,250 in debt, students here borrow about $4,000 less than the typical Ohio auto tech program, giving them a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.22. That means graduates owe roughly 10 weeks' worth of salary, which they can realistically pay down while building their careers.

The program sits right in the middle of the pack both nationally and within Ohio, landing at the 60th percentile among the state's 29 automotive programs. University of Northwestern Ohio's graduates earn about $2,600 more annually, but you're paying less to get there at Great Oaks. The real advantage here isn't exceptional starting wages—it's the combination of reasonable debt and steady earnings growth that creates a manageable financial picture.

For families worried about six-figure debt for uncertain outcomes, this represents the opposite scenario: under $10,000 borrowed for entry into a field where you're immediately employable and your earnings increase as you gain experience. It's a straightforward pathway to middle-class income without the financial anxiety that comes with many degree programs.