Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Highland Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 suggests a relatively manageable financial picture for this automotive program, though comparable programs in Illinois show considerable variation in outcomes. The estimated $9,500 in debt falls below both state and national medians for vehicle maintenance certificates, while projected first-year earnings of around $41,400 align with Illinois's state median—placing it squarely in the middle of what similar programs across the state typically deliver.

What's harder to assess here is Highland's specific edge. Rock Valley College, also serving northern Illinois, reports actual earnings of $41,625 for its graduates—nearly identical to these estimates. Lincoln Land produces significantly stronger outcomes at over $48,000, demonstrating that not all automotive programs in Illinois yield the same results. Without Highland's actual graduate data, parents can't know whether this program more closely resembles Rock Valley's solid middle ground or falls short of state averages.

The modest debt load offers some protection against downside risk. Even at the lower end of typical automotive wages, graduates should be able to manage these payments. But for a field where hands-on training quality and employer relationships make a real difference, the absence of program-specific outcomes means you're buying based on estimates rather than proof. Talk directly with Highland about their job placement rates and relationships with local dealerships and repair shops—that context matters more here than statewide averages.