Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Texarkana College

Texarkana College's auto tech program keeps costs remarkably low—graduating students with just $6,166 in debt, less than half the state median and among the lowest in Texas. But those savings come with a significant earnings tradeoff. At $31,775 one year out, graduates earn about $5,400 less than the typical Texas auto tech graduate and trail programs at Amarillo College ($43,443) and Austin Community College ($40,720) by more than $8,000 annually.

The 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio looks excellent on paper, but that's driven more by minimal borrowing than strong earning power. While keeping costs down matters, automotive technicians in Texas typically command higher wages—this program's 40th percentile ranking in-state suggests graduates may need to look beyond the immediate Texarkana area for better-paying opportunities. The small sample size adds uncertainty to these figures, though the pattern aligns with what you'd expect from a rural program where local shop wages may not match urban markets.

For families prioritizing minimal debt above all else, this delivers. However, if your student plans to work in Dallas, Houston, or another Texas metro, they might earn enough extra at a community college there to quickly offset any additional borrowing. The program works best for students committed to staying local or those who can minimize living expenses while attending.