Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southern State Community College

Similar programs across Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $42,300 for automotive technology graduates, placing Southern State's program squarely in the middle of the state's range. With estimated debt of $11,400, graduates would face monthly payments of roughly $130—manageable on a technician's starting salary. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 indicates students borrow about three months' worth of their first-year income, which is reasonable for a skilled trade.

Ohio's automotive technology programs show considerable variation, with top performers like Cuyahoga Community College producing graduates earning $46,200 while others trail in the mid-$30,000s. Southern State's figures align with the state median, suggesting a middle-tier outcome. The estimated debt here runs about $5,000 below the typical Ohio program, which matters in a field where technicians often need to purchase their own tools and equipment after graduation.

For families considering this path, the numbers work if your child is committed to automotive work. The debt burden won't be crushing, and earnings should support loan repayment while building a career. However, since these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than Southern State's actual graduates, visit the campus to understand their shop facilities, manufacturer partnerships, and job placement rates—these factors drive whether a graduate lands at the higher or lower end of Ohio's earnings range.