Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain

This automotive program at Lincoln Technical Institute delivers below-average earnings compared to national standards, with graduates earning $32,767 in their first year versus a national median of $35,905 for similar programs. While the program ranks in the 40th percentile among Connecticut's eight automotive programs, that's still below the state median of $33,073. The debt load of $14,130 is actually reasonable—sitting in the 26th percentile nationally, meaning most programs saddle students with more debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 is manageable, meaning graduates earn more than twice their debt load in their first year. The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four shows decent career progression, reaching $38,597 by the fourth year. However, even with this growth, earnings remain below what top performers in the field achieve nationally.

For families considering this program, the financial picture is mixed but not alarming. The debt load won't be crushing, and automotive technicians have steady job prospects. However, your child could likely find programs with better earning potential—even within Connecticut, Porter & Chester Institute locations show slightly higher outcomes. This program represents a safe but unremarkable path into the automotive field.