Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Manhattan Area Technical College

Peer programs across Kansas typically deliver significantly stronger first-year outcomes than what Manhattan Area Technical College's automotive program appears headed for. While similar programs statewide produce median earnings around $49,000, and Wichita State's campus reaches $56,000, comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings closer to $43,000 here—nearly 15% below the Kansas average. By year four, earnings edge up only slightly to $44,000, suggesting limited wage growth potential in this track.

The financial picture offers one advantage: estimated debt of $11,425 puts this program below both state and national medians for automotive associates degrees, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27. That's less than three months of gross pay—reasonable for a technical credential. However, the low Pell grant rate of just 12% raises questions about whether this program primarily serves students whose families can afford to minimize borrowing, rather than reflecting genuinely low costs.

The real concern is whether this program can compete with stronger Kansas alternatives. When other in-state schools are producing graduates earning $12,000+ more annually, the gap compounds quickly over a career. If your child is committed to automotive work, they should understand why this program's trajectory lags state peers and whether location or specific training approaches justify accepting lower earnings potential from day one.