Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Three Rivers College

A $9,500 debt load for a credential in automotive technology looks manageable on paper—that's less than both Missouri's typical $13,208 and the national median of $11,000 for similar programs. But when comparable Missouri programs suggest first-year earnings around $35,400, you're looking at roughly three months of gross pay to clear that debt. That's workable math for a field with steady demand.

What matters more here is where Three Rivers' program sits within Missouri's automotive training landscape. The top programs in the state—places like Ozarks Technical and Ranken Technical—are placing graduates who earn $37,000 to $38,400 in their first year. That $2,000-$3,000 difference compounds quickly over a career. With nearly half of Three Rivers students receiving Pell grants, that gap could mean the difference between financial stability and struggle for families already stretching to make this investment work.

The debt burden is reasonable, but the earnings outlook based on peer Missouri programs suggests this certificate delivers baseline entry rather than competitive positioning in the state's automotive job market. If your child can access one of the higher-performing programs nearby without dramatically increasing costs, that extra earning power would be worth pursuing. Otherwise, the low debt keeps this a defensible stepping stone into the trades—just not necessarily the strongest one available in Missouri.