Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Highland Community College

Highland's automotive certificate appears positioned right at the middle of Kansas's range for this field, with similar programs statewide suggesting first-year earnings around $36,400 against estimated debt of $7,000. That's a debt load you could realistically pay down in under a year of focused repayment—significantly better than the $11,000 national median for these programs. The 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio indicates a manageable financial burden for entering the trades.

The challenge is that peer programs in Kansas show considerable variation in outcomes. Wichita State's applied technology campus produces graduates earning nearly $47,000 in their first year—about $10,600 more than what similar programs at Highland typically generate. That's not just noise in the data; it's a meaningful gap that could reflect stronger employer connections, more specialized training, or different regional job markets. Meanwhile, programs at Kansas City KCC and Washburn cluster tightly around Highland's estimated outcomes, suggesting this is the standard trajectory for most Kansas automotive programs outside Wichita's sphere.

For parents, the low debt makes this a relatively safe bet for launching a skilled trades career. But given the outcome variation across Kansas, it's worth understanding what differentiates the top-performing programs—whether it's specialized certifications, manufacturer partnerships, or simply location. The modest debt protects against downside risk, but your child might find stronger earning potential at programs with documented track records above the state median.