Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Hinds Community College

The dramatic earnings jump from $15,553 to $30,682 tells an important story about how automotive technician careers develop—but those first-year numbers are alarmingly low. Even after students gain four years of experience, graduates earn $30,682, which still trails the Mississippi median for this program by about $7,000 and lands in just the 10th percentile statewide. East Mississippi Community College's automotive program produces graduates earning $31,830 right away, suggesting students have better in-state options. The relatively modest debt of $7,483 is a bright spot, sitting below the state average, but it can't offset the weak earning potential.

That 97% earnings growth sounds impressive until you realize it's climbing from an unusually low starting point—$15,553 barely covers basic living expenses in Mississippi. With such a small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers might not reflect typical outcomes, but the pattern is concerning enough that families should investigate carefully. The program ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for graduate earnings.

For parents considering this program: the debt burden is manageable, but the earning trajectory lags significantly behind both state and national peers. Before enrolling, visit East Mississippi Community College and other top-performing programs in the state to understand what separates their graduates' outcomes from these results. Your child deserves a program that launches their career more effectively from day one.