Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southwest Technology Center

Similar programs across Oklahoma typically produce first-year earnings around $36,500, which would make Southwest Technology Center's certificate competitive with the state median—though other Oklahoma tech centers report outcomes ranging from the mid-$30s to nearly $48,000 for their top performers. The estimated $9,500 in debt sits comfortably below both the state median of about $13,000 and the national benchmark of $11,000, suggesting this program keeps borrowing relatively modest.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first year's salary—a manageable burden for an entry-level automotive technician. However, the wide spread among Oklahoma programs is worth noting: Gordon Cooper Technology Center's graduates earn over $11,000 more than the state median, indicating that program quality and local job networks can significantly impact outcomes in this field.

For parents evaluating this investment, the numbers suggest reasonable value if the estimates hold true, but the lack of actual data for this specific program means you're betting on Southwest Tech matching its peer schools' performance. Given automotive technology's consistent demand and the relatively low debt load, this represents a practical path to employment—just recognize you're working with approximations rather than this school's proven track record.