Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lewis and Clark Community College

Based on comparable automotive programs in Illinois, Lewis and Clark's certificate tracks closely with state norms—similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $41,400, though nearby Lincoln Land Community College's graduates earn notably more at $48,300. The estimated $9,500 in debt sits below both state and national averages for this credential, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 that suggests manageable monthly payments even at entry-level wages.

The automotive repair field offers a practical advantage: immediate employability with a short-term credential. With Illinois programs generally outperforming the national median of $35,900, this region appears to support stronger wages for technicians. However, the lack of reported outcomes for this specific program—likely due to small graduating classes—means we're working with educated guesses rather than documented results from Lewis and Clark's own graduates.

For families weighing this option, the lower debt estimate is reassuring, but the real question is whether this particular program delivers the training quality and employer connections that its higher-earning peers provide. Speaking directly with recent graduates or local employers who hire from Lewis and Clark would help determine if this program actually matches the state's stronger performance, or if you'd be better served by a competitor with proven outcomes like Lincoln Land.