Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degree) at Harrisburg Area Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,509

Est. from PA median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,425

Est. from national median (65 programs)

Analysis

Pennsylvania's automotive technology programs show a striking earnings spread—from under $38,000 to over $52,000 annually—and Harrisburg Area Community College lands near the bottom of this range. Based on similar programs statewide, graduates here can expect around $37,500 in first-year earnings, roughly $5,000 below the national median for this credential. The estimated $11,425 in debt keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.30, but that's cold comfort when peer programs in Pennsylvania are producing significantly stronger outcomes.

The comparison with Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and Pennsylvania College of Technology is particularly telling—their graduates earn nearly $15,000 more annually while taking on similar or only modestly higher debt. Even Johnson College, located just up the road in Scranton, produces graduates earning $1,000 more. For a parent considering this investment, the key question becomes why accept earnings at the state's lower end when stronger automotive programs exist within Pennsylvania.

The modest debt load is this program's saving grace, preventing it from being a clearly poor choice. But with automotive technicians in demand nationwide and other Pennsylvania schools demonstrating what's possible, settling for below-average earnings requires a compelling reason—geography, specific program strengths, or transfer opportunities. Otherwise, the data suggests looking at Pennsylvania's higher-performing automotive programs first.

Where Harrisburg Area Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all vehicle maintenance and repair technologies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg	$7,373	$37,509*	—	$11,425*	—
Pittsburgh Institute of AeronauticsWest Mifflin	$17,725	$52,407*	$57,846	$16,163*	0.31
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport	$17,940	$50,519*	$53,119	$12,000*	0.24
Rosedale Technical CollegePittsburgh	$16,700	$42,112*	$47,512	$12,000*	0.28
Johnson CollegeScranton	$20,733	$38,507*	$51,856	$12,000*	0.31
New Castle School of TradesNew Castle	—	$37,509*	$35,701	$11,470*	0.31
National Median	—	$42,896*	—	$12,000*	0.28

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with vehicle maintenance and repair technologies graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Avionics Technicians

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles

Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

$60,640/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

$49,670/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

Motorcycle Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Harrisburg Area Community College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.