Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at St Cloud Technical and Community College

St Cloud Technical graduates earn $46,000 within a year of completing this program—outperforming 95% of automotive programs nationwide. That's a meaningful advantage in a field where the typical graduate starts at just $36,000. With only $12,000 in debt, the financial equation works immediately: graduates can realistically pay off loans within six months of starting work.

The Minnesota context adds nuance. While these earnings crush national averages, they land at the 60th percentile statewide, with Minneapolis Community and Technical leading at nearly $59,000. Still, St Cloud produces solid results: four-year earnings reach $51,000 (steady 12% growth), and the debt load remains manageable. For students living near Saint Cloud, the convenience factor and quick credential timeline offset the fact that stronger-earning programs exist elsewhere in the state.

For parents evaluating technical training, this program delivers what matters most—immediate employment at wages that exceed living costs and quick debt payoff. The 35% Pell Grant population suggests the school serves working-class students successfully. Unless your child can easily relocate to Minneapolis, St Cloud offers a practical path into a stable trade without the debt burden that plagues four-year degrees.