Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northeast Texas Community College

Similar auto tech programs in Texas suggest first-year earnings around $38,500, which trails both the national median for these programs ($42,900) and top performers in the state. Tarrant County College District's graduates, for instance, earn $50,500—about $12,000 more annually—while even middle-tier Texas programs typically place graduates above $41,000. That gap is significant in a field where technicians need to invest in their own tools and continuing education as vehicle technology evolves.

The estimated debt of $10,400 is notably lower than the Texas median of $17,400 for these programs, which helps offset the earnings concern. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 means graduates would theoretically owe about three months' salary—manageable for most. However, peer programs in Texas show this field can produce stronger outcomes: comparable associate degree programs suggest earnings potential exists that this program's graduates may not be capturing, whether due to local labor market conditions in Mount Pleasant or differences in training quality and industry connections.

For parents considering this investment, the modest debt load is the program's strongest feature, but the earnings estimate suggests your child might have better career launch options at programs in Texas's larger metro areas where automotive employers compete more actively for skilled technicians.