Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lake Region State College

The standout figure here is North Dakota itself: the state's median for automotive technology programs sits at $56,659—more than $13,000 above what peer programs nationally suggest Lake Region graduates might earn. North Dakota State College of Science, just a few hours south, reports exactly that median figure for its automotive graduates, showing what's achievable within the state for this credential.

The estimated debt of $11,425 is manageable regardless of which earnings scenario plays out—about three months' salary at national rates, less at state rates. That low debt floor means this program isn't a risky bet even if outcomes fall short of North Dakota's stronger averages. The 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, based on national peer data, suggests reasonable value, though it's worth noting that ratio could improve significantly if Lake Region's graduates actually capture typical North Dakota automotive wages rather than the national baseline used in these estimates.

The uncertainty cuts both ways here. Lake Region could match the state's stronger outcomes—automotive technicians in North Dakota's smaller labor markets sometimes command competitive wages—or graduates might face the tighter margins reflected in national figures. Given the modest debt load, your child isn't locked into a problematic financial outcome either way, but understanding whether Lake Region's placement rates and employer connections mirror those at North Dakota State College of Science would help clarify which earnings path is more likely.