Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical's auto tech program lands graduates at $32,633 their first year—roughly $10,000 below what other Missouri programs deliver and in the bottom 5% nationally. Even within the state, this ranks at just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable Missouri programs produce better outcomes. For context, Ranken Technical graduates earn $43,491, giving them a $10,858 annual advantage right out of the gate.

The debt load of $14,691 isn't unreasonable on its own, but it's working against weaker earnings. That 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio means students are borrowing nearly half their first-year salary—manageable but not ideal when those earnings are already trailing the field. Graduates do see 11% wage growth over four years, reaching $36,088, though that still leaves them well behind peers who started higher.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. That said, the gap between this program and state competitors is substantial enough to warrant serious questions. If your child is set on automotive technology and staying in Missouri, the data suggests looking at State Technical College or Ranken Technical first, where graduates are clearing $42,000+ from day one—a difference that compounds over an entire career.