Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Lenoir Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$39,326

Est. from NC median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,840

Est. from NC median (3 programs)

Analysis

Comparable automotive programs across North Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—right at the state median and above the national benchmark of $36,000. With an estimated $10,800 in debt, this certificate appears positioned in line with typical community college outcomes for the field. That 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly three months' salary, a manageable burden for someone entering the trades.

The 42% Pell grant rate indicates Lenoir serves many students seeking practical, immediate career pathways. Similar North Carolina programs show a range from $38,000 to $48,000 in first-year earnings, with specialized programs like NASCAR Technical Institute commanding premium outcomes. Community college programs like Guilford Tech and Davidson-Davie—closer peers to Lenoir—cluster around $39,000 to $42,000, suggesting the field offers stable if not spectacular entry wages across the state.

The math works for students who want certified skills without bachelor's degree debt. At under $11,000 borrowed for training that leads to nearly $40,000 in year-one income, this represents a straightforward value equation common to community college technical programs. The real question for your family is local job availability in Kinston's market and whether your student has mechanic aptitude—not whether the program's estimated financial profile raises red flags.

Where Lenoir Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all vehicle maintenance and repair technologies certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies certificate's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (46 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lenoir Community CollegeKinston	$2,568	$39,326*	—	$10,840*	—
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-CharlotteCharlotte	$16,657	$47,951*	$42,703	$31,263*	0.65
Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown	$2,319	$42,264*	$48,241	$10,702*	0.25
NASCAR Technical InstituteMooresville	—	$41,147*	$47,215	$14,243*	0.35
Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville	$1,978	$39,326*	—	$15,750*	0.40
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAsheville	$2,882	$37,714*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$35,905*	—	$11,000*	0.31

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with vehicle maintenance and repair technologies graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Avionics Technicians

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles

Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

$60,640/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

$49,670/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

Motorcycle Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lenoir Community College, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.