Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Intellitec College-Colorado Springs

Intellitec College-Colorado Springs graduates who complete this automotive technology program earn $34,423 in their first year—about $8,500 less than typical Colorado graduates from similar programs and nearly $8,500 below the national median. While the $17,209 in student debt sits right at Colorado's average for this field, the earnings lag is significant. Your child would be paying about half their first year's salary to learn a trade that nearby community colleges are teaching more effectively. Community College of Aurora's program, for instance, produces graduates earning $57,000—a $23,000 difference for likely lower tuition costs.

The modest 6% earnings growth over four years suggests these graduates aren't catching up to their peers over time. For a hands-on field where skill development matters, starting at the 25th percentile within Colorado is a red flag. More than half of Intellitec's students receive Pell grants, indicating they're from families that can least afford underwhelming outcomes. When four other Colorado schools produce graduates earning $42,000 to $57,000 with similar or lower debt loads, it's worth asking why you'd pay private college prices for below-average results.

If your child is set on automotive technology, explore Colorado's community college options first. The combination of lower tuition, better placement outcomes, and stronger earnings makes them the smarter investment for this career path.