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

UTI-California's automotive program delivers mixed results that warrant careful consideration. While the relatively low debt load of $17,389 is encouraging—sitting in the 25th percentile nationally, meaning 75% of similar programs saddle students with more debt—the earnings performance is concerning. Graduates earn $39,458 in their first year, which falls below both the national median ($42,896) and ranks in just the 33rd percentile nationally. Among California's 83 automotive programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning it's slightly below the state median of $39,836.

The program does show solid earning potential over time, with 21% growth from year one to year four, reaching $47,748. However, this still trails the national 75th percentile of $47,860. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is manageable, and with 59% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a population that likely needs affordable training options. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence in these numbers.

**Bottom line:** This program offers reasonable debt levels but below-average earnings compared to other automotive programs. Given that top California programs like San Joaquin Valley College produce graduates earning $64,000+, your child might find better value elsewhere if they're committed to this field.