Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Something unusual catches your eye here: first-year earnings of $42,896 drop to $37,625 by year four. That backward trajectory is concerning—automotive technicians typically see earnings growth as they build experience and certifications, not a $5,000 decline. While the first-year figure comes from national peer programs, that fourth-year number represents actual reported outcomes from Reynolds graduates, suggesting either challenging local market conditions or program-specific placement issues worth investigating.

The estimated debt of $11,425 looks manageable at first glance, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 that would typically signal a solid investment. But that ratio is calculated against the higher first-year estimate. Against the actual fourth-year earnings? You're looking at a ratio closer to 0.30, and more importantly, take-home pay that leaves less cushion than expected. Other Virginia programs, like Tidewater Community College, report first-year earnings of $47,722—nearly $10,000 more than Reynolds graduates earn in year four.

Before committing, your child needs to understand why Reynolds graduates see declining earnings while comparable programs show growth. Is this a regional wage issue specific to Richmond's automotive market? Are graduates struggling to secure full-time positions with benefits? The low debt makes this less risky than many programs, but the earnings trajectory suggests this specific program may not be delivering the career foundation students need.