Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at John A Logan College

Based on comparable automotive programs in Illinois, John A Logan's certificate appears positioned in the middle of the state's range—similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $41,400. That's notably above the national median of $35,900 for automotive certificates, suggesting Illinois auto technicians command stronger wages than many states. The estimated $9,500 in debt falls below both state and national averages for this field, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23—essentially three months' salary, which is manageable for a technical credential.

The challenge with this program is the limited visibility. Because graduate numbers are small enough that the Department of Education can't publish actual outcomes, you're relying on what peer programs achieve rather than this school's track record. The state's top-performing automotive programs, like Lincoln Land Community College, show graduates earning nearly $48,000, demonstrating the ceiling exists locally. However, without knowing where John A Logan's actual graduates land within that $33,000-$48,000 Illinois range, you're making an educated guess based on typical outcomes.

For parents considering this investment, the math works if their student actually reaches that $41,000 estimate—the debt load is light enough to repay quickly on an automotive technician's salary. But the lack of hard data means you should verify job placement rates and employer connections directly with the program before committing.