Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Red Rocks Community College

Colorado's automotive technician training programs cluster tightly around $39,000-$42,000 in first-year earnings, and Red Rocks appears to fit squarely in that range. Based on peer programs statewide, graduates here likely earn about $39,400—slightly above the national benchmark for vehicle maintenance certificates but middle-of-the-pack compared to Colorado's top performers like Aims Community College ($42,120) and Front Range ($41,745).

The estimated $9,500 debt load matters more than the earnings difference. That's lower than both the state and national typical debt for automotive programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24. For context, similar programs nationally carry about $11,000 in debt, so Red Rocks appears positioned to keep borrowing reasonable even as graduates enter a field where first-year earnings rarely exceed $42,000 anywhere in Colorado.

The practical limitation is clear: automotive technician work doesn't produce dramatic income growth in year one, regardless of where you train. But the difference between borrowing $9,500 versus $11,000-plus can mean several months of breathing room when you're starting at around $40,000. If your child is committed to this career path and Red Rocks offers convenient access to equipment and instructor relationships, the estimated debt picture suggests this program won't saddle them with outsized payments relative to their earning potential.