Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's automotive program earns $34,336 in the first year—roughly $8,000 below Texas's median for similar programs and nearly $9,000 under the national average. While it ranks in the 40th percentile statewide, that still means nearly half of Texas auto tech programs deliver better outcomes. The $20,000 debt load is concerning not for its size alone, but because it's 40% higher than what peers at other Texas programs typically carry, creating a worse financial starting point for a below-average salary.

The earnings trajectory does improve to $38,814 by year four (a 13% gain), which closes some of the gap with state medians. However, even at that level, graduates trail programs like Tarrant County College District by over $11,000 annually—a difference that compounds significantly over a career. For students committed to automotive work in El Paso, this program gets you credentialed, but the math is harder than it needs to be. The stronger move is comparing total costs against community college alternatives in Texas that deliver similar training with less debt and better earning potential right out of the gate. If El Paso location is non-negotiable, understand you're accepting a financial tradeoff that will take years to overcome.