Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc

This Universal Technical Institute program delivers solid but unremarkable outcomes in the automotive repair field. With starting salaries of $39,458 and manageable debt of $17,389, graduates enter the workforce with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44—well below the danger zone that makes loan repayment difficult. The program performs roughly at the median for Arizona automotive programs (40th percentile) but falls short of national standards, ranking only in the 33rd percentile nationally.

The debt picture is actually quite favorable, sitting in the 25th percentile nationally, meaning most similar programs saddle students with more debt. However, the earnings tell a different story. While graduates see decent 21% wage growth over four years, reaching $47,748, they're still earning about $3,400 less than the national median for this field. Within Arizona, students might want to compare this to Pima Community College, whose automotive graduates earn significantly more at $52,673.

For families considering this investment, the program offers a reasonably safe path to steady employment in a field with consistent demand. The debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings, while modest, provide a foundation for middle-class stability. However, this isn't a standout program that will give your child a competitive edge in the automotive industry.