Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College's auto tech program delivers exactly what matters most to parents: solid earnings with minimal debt. At $12,000 in student loans against $46,770 in first-year earnings, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates could theoretically pay off their entire balance in just three months of gross income—though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these numbers could shift year to year.

What stands out is the steady climb in earnings power. Graduates see their income rise 9% by year four, and they're consistently outearning both Idaho's median ($45,404) and the national average ($42,896) for this program. While Idaho State grads earn more initially, that program likely costs more too—Lewis-Clark's light debt load is the real differentiator here.

The practical read for parents: This is a low-risk pathway to middle-class earnings. Your child could enter the workforce making close to $47,000 with debt that won't follow them for decades. With Idaho's seven programs in this field, Lewis-Clark places solidly in the 60th percentile—not the absolute top, but competitive where it counts. Just remember that the small cohort size means these figures might not represent every graduate's experience.