Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis

This automotive program delivers solid debt management but concerning earnings performance within Indiana. With median debt of $13,560 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, graduates face manageable financial obligations—well below the national program median of $11,000 but reasonable given the earning potential. However, the earnings story is more troubling for in-state students.

While Lincoln College's graduates earn exactly the national median at $35,905 in their first year, they significantly underperform compared to other Indiana programs, ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide. The state median for this program is $42,634—nearly $7,000 higher than what Lincoln College graduates typically earn. This gap is particularly stark when compared to top performers like Vincennes University ($51,226) and Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Indianapolis ($47,951). Even Ivy Tech Community College, a public option, delivers higher starting salaries at $37,317.

The 17% earnings growth to $42,123 by year four helps close this gap somewhat, but graduates still trail the state median significantly. For Indiana families, this represents a clear value disadvantage—you're paying similar debt levels for notably lower earning potential compared to other in-state options. Unless location or specific program features are compelling factors, exploring higher-performing alternatives like Ivy Tech or Vincennes would likely deliver better financial returns on your investment.