Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Williston State College

North Dakota's automotive programs typically outperform national averages significantly—the state median of $44,309 dwarfs the $35,905 national benchmark—but Williston's estimated outcomes fall short of that local standard. Similar certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,000 with debt near $9,500, placing this program closer to national norms than to what's achievable within the state. Bismarck State College, for comparison, reports actual earnings at that higher $44,000+ level, indicating stronger in-state alternatives exist.

The debt picture looks manageable at an estimated 0.26 ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly three months' salary. However, that calculation assumes the national earnings estimate holds true, when North Dakota's higher cost of living and strong energy sector wages typically push automotive technician pay higher. If this program actually produces outcomes closer to state averages, the investment improves considerably. If it tracks closer to suppressed national figures, students might reasonably question why they're not seeing the premium other North Dakota programs deliver.

Given the data limitations here, parents should request placement and earnings information directly from Williston and compare it against Bismarck State's documented track record. The difference between $36,000 and $44,000 annually isn't trivial for a skilled trades career—it's $8,000 that compounds over a lifetime.