Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Mesa Community College

A debt load around $11,400 for automotive technology training positions this Mesa Community College program favorably against both state and national benchmarks. While the earnings and debt figures here are estimates based on comparable Arizona programs, the numbers tell a practical story: similar associate degree programs in automotive repair typically produce debt-to-earnings ratios that allow graduates to manage their loans on entry-level technician pay.

The estimated first-year earnings of $40,200 align closely with what automotive technology graduates across Arizona earn, though they trail the standout program at Pima Community College by about $12,000. What matters more for immediate financial viability is that the estimated debt sits well below both the state median of $17,400 and national median of $12,000 for these programs. Automotive technician work offers steady demand and clear advancement paths as skills develop, making this debt level manageable even if starting wages feel modest.

For families weighing this program, the key advantage is entering a skilled trade without excessive borrowing. The estimated 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates from similar programs can typically handle their monthly payments while building experience. Given Mesa's relatively contained costs compared to other Arizona automotive programs, this represents a reasonable path into vehicle repair work—just recognize these figures reflect statewide patterns rather than this specific program's track record.