Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lane Community College

The $35,905 first-year earnings figure for this automotive program—drawn from national peer programs—sits right at the median for certificate-level vehicle maintenance training. Paired with an estimated $9,500 in debt, that's a manageable 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests graduates could handle their loan payments while building a career in the trades. The national data shows these programs cluster tightly around $36,000 in first-year earnings, with top programs reaching just over $40,000, so there's modest but real earning potential as technicians gain experience and certifications.

What makes this harder to assess is Oregon's robust automotive training landscape—12 programs compete for students and employers—yet none report public outcomes data. That absence means we can't see whether Lane's program leads to better shop placements or manufacturer certifications that boost pay. The debt estimate is slightly below the national median of $11,000, which suggests reasonable program costs, but without knowing Lane's specific job placement rates or which local dealers and repair shops hire their graduates, you're relying on the broader market for automotive technicians rather than this school's track record.

For parents considering this path: automotive technology offers stable work with clear skills, but use these estimates as a baseline only. Visit Lane's career services, talk to recent graduates if possible, and confirm what employer relationships exist locally. The numbers suggest reasonable risk, but you'll want concrete placement information before committing.