Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology

Spartan College graduates start behind the pack but experience remarkable income growth—jumping 60% from $38,493 to $61,405 between years one and four. While first-year earnings sit below both state and national medians, by year four these technicians are substantially outearning typical automotive program graduates nationwide. This trajectory suggests the program may provide deeper technical training or stronger industry connections that pay off once graduates gain experience.

The debt picture deserves attention. At $23,609, borrowing runs nearly double the national average for automotive programs, though it's only moderately above California's typical debt load. That 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable by California standards, and with strong earnings growth, most graduates should find the loans manageable within a few years. Still, families should understand they're taking on more debt than at most competing programs—including UTI's California campuses, which charge less while delivering similar first-year outcomes.

The value proposition hinges on whether your child will stick with the field long enough to reach that higher earning potential. For students committed to automotive careers who can handle the upfront investment, the robust income growth makes this program work financially. But those uncertain about the field should consider lower-debt alternatives, since the initial earnings don't justify the borrowing on their own.