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

Spartan College's automotive program commands nearly double the debt of typical California schools in this field, but the investment appears justified by strong earnings outcomes. While graduates carry $20,009 in debt compared to the state median of $9,500, they earn $55,999 four years out—substantially above both the national median ($35,905) and California median ($35,784) for automotive programs.

The program ranks in the 75th percentile nationally and 60th percentile within California, placing it among the better-performing schools despite the higher cost. More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 is quite manageable, and graduates see impressive 39% earnings growth from year one to year four. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates adds confidence to these figures.

However, parents should note that several California programs deliver higher earnings, with top performers like West Los Angeles College reaching nearly $66,000. For families prioritizing maximum return on investment, exploring these alternatives might be worthwhile. That said, Spartan's combination of above-average outcomes with reasonable debt levels makes it a solid choice for students seeking reliable entry into the automotive field, particularly given that 40% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves working-class families effectively.