Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Linn-Benton Community College

Linn-Benton's automotive program lands graduates right at the state median with first-year earnings of $44,906, though debt figures here are estimated from comparable community college programs nationally at $11,425. That produces a manageable quarter-of-income debt load—on paper, a decent starting point for entering the trades.

The real concern isn't the debt but what happens after year one. Earnings drop 12% to $39,281 by year four, which runs counter to what you'd expect as technicians gain certifications and expertise. This could reflect anything from flat-rate compensation structures during economic downturns to technicians leaving dealerships for lower-paying independent shops. It's worth noting that Portland Community College's program shows stronger first-year outcomes at $48,144, suggesting location and employer networks matter significantly in Oregon's automotive job market.

For a student committed to automotive work and planning to stay in the Albany area, the estimated debt burden shouldn't be deal-breaking. But the backward earnings trajectory means parents should ask pointed questions: What's the shop placement rate? Do graduates earn ASE certifications? And critically, are alumni actually staying in the field four years out, or does that earnings dip reflect people leaving the trade entirely?