Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Kaskaskia College

Based on comparable programs in Illinois, this automotive technology degree appears positioned near the middle of the state's range, with estimated first-year earnings around $51,000 against roughly $11,400 in debt. That 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings—a solid starting point for a trade credential.

The bigger question is upside. Illinois Central College graduates in this field earn about $58,000 their first year out, while Lincoln College of Technology's program produces earnings closer to $37,000. Without actual data from Kaskaskia, it's unclear where their graduates land within this $21,000 spread. The estimated $51,000 figure comes from the state median, which means half of Illinois programs do better and half do worse. In a field where employer connections and hands-on training quality matter enormously, that distinction isn't trivial.

For parents, the manageable debt load provides some cushion, but press the school on job placement specifics: Which dealerships and shops hire their graduates? What's the actual first-year employment rate? The difference between the top and bottom automotive programs in Illinois represents real money—nearly $1,000 per month in take-home pay. Since these are estimates based on peer schools rather than Kaskaskia's track record, you'll need those concrete placement details to determine if this program delivers value closer to Illinois Central's outcomes or Lincoln Tech's.