Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Traviss Technical College

Traviss Technical College's automotive program hits the sweet spot that matters most in skilled trades: low debt with solid entry-level pay. Based on comparable certificate programs nationally, graduates here can expect roughly $9,500 in debt against first-year earnings of $35,210—a debt load you could realistically pay off within a year or two of focused effort. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio significantly beats both Florida's typical $13,875 debt load and the national median of $11,000 for automotive programs.

The earnings picture shows middling but stable numbers. At $35,210, first-year pay sits just below the national median for automotive certificate holders but comfortably above Florida's typical $32,263. This isn't the earnings power of the state's aviation-focused technical programs (which can top $48,000), but it's respectable for a field where experience and ASE certifications drive long-term income more than your starting credential. Forty percent of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves working-class families looking for practical career entry points.

The key advantage here is financial—you're looking at manageable debt for immediate employment in a field with consistent demand. The trade-off is that earnings growth will depend heavily on your child's hustle in obtaining additional certifications and building a reputation, not just on completing this certificate.