Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Santa Ana College

Santa Ana College's automotive program lands in the middle of California's pack, with first-year earnings of $36,380 placing graduates slightly above both state and national medians for this credential. While actual debt data isn't available for this specific program, comparable automotive certificates nationally suggest around $9,500 in borrowing—a manageable figure that translates to roughly three months of first-year salary.

The concern here isn't the debt load but the earnings trajectory. Growth from year one to year four barely registers at 4%, and even at $37,788 four years out, graduates remain far behind the state's highest-performing programs. West Los Angeles College's automotive graduates, for instance, earn nearly double what Santa Ana's do. That gap suggests either different industry connections, curriculum focus, or regional job market variations that matter significantly for career outcomes.

For families considering this path, the relatively low debt makes this a financially accessible entry point to automotive work, but the modest earnings ceiling means students should actively seek ASE certifications and specialized training beyond the certificate itself. The question isn't whether you can afford this program—it's whether $37,000-38,000 represents an acceptable income range for your household, because that's where graduates appear to plateau in the early years.