Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie

This automotive program delivers exactly what you'd expect—no more, no less. With first-year earnings of $35,905 matching the national median and debt of $13,560 that's actually below the national average, Lincoln College offers a straightforward path into vehicle maintenance careers without excessive financial burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means your child would owe roughly 5 months of their first-year salary, which is quite manageable for a technical certificate.

However, this program underperforms within Texas, ranking in just the 40th percentile among the state's 51 automotive programs. Several community colleges and technical schools in Texas produce graduates earning $40,000-$51,000 in their first year—notably higher than Lincoln College's output. The 17% earnings growth over four years to $42,123 is solid but doesn't close this gap with top performers.

The bottom line: if your child can access one of Texas's higher-performing automotive programs (particularly community colleges that likely cost less), that's the better financial choice. Lincoln College isn't a bad option—the debt load is reasonable and job prospects are typical for the field—but it's paying private school tuition for community college-level outcomes in a state with strong public alternatives.