Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Jamestown Community College

Automotive technology programs in New York tend to cluster around $43,000 in first-year earnings, and Jamestown's estimated outcomes match that state pattern almost exactly. With projected debt around $11,000—slightly below both state and national medians—peer programs suggest graduates could owe about three months' salary, a manageable starting point for a hands-on career that doesn't require further credentials. Similar programs across New York range from roughly $43,000 to $47,000 in first-year earnings, showing the field offers stability but limited upward mobility at the associate level.

The real question is what happens beyond year one. Skilled automotive technicians often see earnings grow as they gain manufacturer certifications and diagnostic expertise, but this program's estimates can't tell us whether Jamestown's graduates achieve those same trajectories. The top-performing programs in the state produce about 10% higher first-year outcomes, which could signal stronger employer partnerships or more advanced technical training—factors worth investigating directly with the school.

For a parent's purposes: the estimated debt burden appears reasonable for what similar programs deliver, but Jamestown's small automotive program means you're relying on statewide trends rather than this school's track record. If your student is mechanically inclined and ready to work immediately after graduation, comparable programs suggest this is financially viable—just verify that Jamestown offers the ASE certification prep and dealer partnerships that typically separate stronger programs from weaker ones.