Best Automotive Schools in the Northeast

Best Automotive Schools in the Northeast

Best Automotive Schools in the Northeast

Home of the great New York City, the Northeast is a hotbed for cars. Mechanics need training so here are the best automotive schools in the Northeast.

Best Automotive Schools by Region: Northeast

The final week of the Best Automotive Schools by Region is here and we are ending with a big one! Moving to the Northeast, home of the likes of New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. Because of the high density of vehicles in these major cities, the Northeast region needs some great schools to train its future generation of auto mechanics. In order to shed light on some schools doing things right, we have discovered the best automotive schools in the Northeast! Before we begin, take a look at the states in consideration, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Schools in the Northeast vary in size, specializations, cost, and many more. The five best automotive schools in the Northeast range from 400 students to almost 4,000 students. Along with that, the average cost for attending these schools ranges from $5,700 to $19,600. As you can tell, although these schools are all in the same region, they have quite a few differences you should be aware of when choosing the perfect school for you! So, here are the five best automotive schools in the Northeast.

Criteria for the Best Automotive Schools

To determine which schools were in fact the best automotive schools in the Northeast, we had to come up with a few parameters. To start, we looked at graduation rate. We decided that this was an important first step as it gives a glimpse into the student body’s view of the school. If students enjoy the school, they should have a higher graduation rate. With smaller community colleges, this isn’t as important because one of their main goals is to get students to transfer to larger universities. Next, we examined the median salary of former students 10 years after they attended the school. Third, we found the average annual cost to attend each school before finally ending with the average debt a student graduates with.
Although these aren’t all the factors that go into making a college great, they can help us get a glimpse into the caliber of certain schools. Before we made our final picks, we then went through and made sure that each school was a certified program by the ASE Education Foundation. Although we cannot guarantee your financial situation will match any of the numbers we have presented, we can guarantee that each of the 5 best automotive schools in the Northeast offer something great. In order to find all of this information, we utilized the amazing tools from College Scorecard.
  1. Graduation Rate
  2. Salary After Graduation
  3. Annual Cost
  4. Debt Upon Graduation

Best Automotive Schools in the Northeast

  • Willow Street, PA
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
  • Salary After Attending: $39,700
  • Annual Cost: $10,695
  • Debt upon Graduation: $13,123
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center is not your typical community college. This is the result of a few things. First of all, the school provides exceptional training for its students. Along with that, the students are very diverse in age. LCCTC does not target only graduating high school students like most community colleges. Instead, they target their community making it the best automotive school in the Northeast.
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Salary After Attending: $35,500
  • Annual Cost: $15,270
  • Debt upon Graduation: $12,000
Founded in 1949, Rosedale Tech knows what they are doing when it comes to training auto mechanics. In the automotive program at the second best automotive school in the Northeast, you will be given the opportunity to gain your ASE certification even before you graduate. The school puts a large emphasis on quality education and hands on experience. All of this and much more creates an amazing experience for students and great opportunity for a career afterward.
  • Hudson, NY
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Salary After Attending: $34,900
  • Annual Cost: $5,758
  • Debt upon Graduation: $10,831
Part of the State University of New York system, CGCC comes in as the third best automotive school in the Northeast. Programs offered range from Associates in arts, in science, in applied science, and even occupational studies. The school offers a wide range of opportunity for students to take hold of. The school puts an emphasis on creating a good community through club sports and other organizational activities for students.
  • Alfred, NY
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Salary After Attending: $41,800
  • Annual Cost: $15,230
  • Debt upon Graduation: $15,000
Alfred State College of Technology is the fourth best automotive school in the Northeast for multiple reasons. The main one is its care for its students. Not only does the school teach its students extremely well, they also help them in all aspects of life. Whether it’s through career opportunities upon graduation or some of their other programs. For example, the school was recently recognized as one of the best schools for helping students cope with stress. This is very valuable and should not be overlooked in your college search!
  • Randolph, VT
  • Graduation Rate: 48%
  • Salary After Attending: $45,000
  • Annual Cost: $19,630
  • Debt upon Graduation: $16,200
Coming in at number 5 in our list of the best automotive schools in the Northeast is Vermont Technical College. Vermont Tech has committed to providing great education and training to its community in multiple ways. One that students really like is that they have kept their classes small at an average of just 14 students per class. Along with that, many of their instructors have real world experience which helps to equip students with the knowledge and expertise necessary to excel in their career.

Locations of Northeast Best Schools

1. Lancaster County Career and Technology Center

1730 Hans Herr Drive

Willow Street, PA 17584

2. Rosedale Technical College

215 Beecham Dr. #2

Pittsburgh, PA 15205

3. Columbia-Greene Community College

4400 Route 23

Hudson, NY 12534

4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

10 Upper College Dr.

Alfred, NY 14802

5. Vermont Technical College

124 Admin Drive

Randolph Center, VT 05061

Research Your School

Remember, don’t just take our word for it. We are not saying that just because these have been identified as the best automotive schools in the Northeast means that they are the best for you. They are a great starting point for you to dip your feet into the world of automotive trade schools! Also, you need to keep in mind that you can go to the number one rated school in the WORLD and still not learn anything. You need to take your education into your own hands. No matter what school you go to, you will need to do the work and really commit to your training in order to become the best auto mechanic you can be.

Finally, as we have said each week, we can help you find the perfect school! We have connections with schools and can even help you earn grants and scholarships. If you have any questions about certain schools or anything related to becoming an auto mechanic please let us know. Now that you have all this information, you can get started with your school search below.

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Best Automotive Schools in the Southeast

Best Automotive Schools in the Southeast

Best Automotive Schools in the Southeast

Mechanic schools all across the nation are trying to get your attention. We break through the noise with the 5 best automotive schools in the Southeast!

Best Automotive Schools by Region: Southeast

It is here, week 4 of the Best Automotive Schools by Region! Today we are looking at a large region, the Southeast. The Southeast is made up of the most states out of any region at 14 states. This made it difficult to find just 5 of the best automotive schools in the Southeast, but we did! Look at the section below to find out exactly what criteria we look at to come up with this. First, here are all of the states we looked at, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

All five of these schools are brand new to any lists we have put together so far. This is because the Southeast has been a little slower to accept the trade school revolution. Therefore, most states outside of the Southeast have invested large amounts of time, energy, and capital into building strong institutions. We expect to see this come in the Southeast soon as the best automotive schools in the Southeast are a glimpse into the future of the region.

Criteria for the Best Automotive Schools

To determine which schools were in fact the best automotive schools in the Southeast, we had to come up with a few parameters. To start, we looked at graduation rate. We decided that this was an important first step as it gives a glimpse into the student body’s view of the school. If students enjoy the school, they should have a higher graduation rate. With smaller community colleges, this isn’t as important because one of their main goals is to get students to transfer to larger universities. Next, we examined the median salary of former students 10 years after they attended the school. Third, we found the average annual cost to attend each school before finally ending with the average debt a student graduates with.
Although these aren’t all the factors that go into making a college great, they can help us get a glimpse into the caliber of certain schools. Before we made our final picks, we then went through and made sure that each school was a certified program by the ASE Education Foundation. Although we cannot guarantee your financial situation will match any of the numbers we have presented, we can guarantee that each of the 5 best automotive schools in the Southeast offer something great. In order to find all of this information, we utilized the amazing tools from College Scorecard.
  1. Graduation Rate
  2. Salary After Graduation
  3. Annual Cost
  4. Debt Upon Graduation

Best Automotive Schools in the Southeast

  • Paducah, KY
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Salary After Attending: $27,300
  • Annual Cost: $5,777
  • Debt upon Graduation: $9,343
Back in 1909 West Kentucky Community & Technical College was formed as an institution dedicated to training African-American teachers. Today the school has been adopted by the Kentucky Community & Technical College System which provides a network of schools so students get the best possible training. What makes WKCTC the best automotive school in the Southeast is the community development and amazing training opportunities they provide.
  • Scooba, MS
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Salary After Attending: $24,900
  • Annual Cost: $4,475
  • Debt upon Graduation: $8,000
East Mississippi Community College comes in at the second best automotive school in the Southeast for multiple reasons. One, this schools has done an incredible job at keeping small class sizes to ensure intentional and intimate learning environments. In fact, they have kept a student to faculty ratio of 17:1 which is quite exceptional. Along with that, EMCC offers 48 different career and technical programs. Therefore, if you change your mind and want to pursue a different career, you won’t need to transfer schools!
  • Sandersville, GA
  • Graduation Rate: 31%
  • Salary After Attending: $22,000
  • Annual Cost: $0
  • Debt upon Graduation: $5,621
Oconee Fall Line Technical College is the result of two different schools merging together in 2010. As a result, the single school is now able to provide over 100 different associates degrees, diplomas, and certificates. This, along with the diversity of the students they can train speaks volumes. They have programs available for recent high school grads, adults seeking career change, or someone just looking for a single class. Therefore, OFLTC comes in at the third best automotive school in the Southeast.
  • Annandale, VA
  • Graduation Rate: 23%
  • Salary After Attending: $42,000
  • Annual Cost: $10,335
  • Debt upon Graduation: $11,000
If you desire a large university feel at the low price of a community college, Northern Virginia Community College is the perfect school for you! NOVA is the largest educational institution in all of Virginia and the second largest community college in the United States. This has allowed the school to reach tens of thousands of students each year while still maintaining high quality education. This puts NOVA at number four in the best automotive schools in the Southeast.
  • Virginia Beach, VA
  • Graduation Rate: 77%
  • Salary After Attending: $40,800
  • Annual Cost: $20,495
  • Debt upon Graduation: $15,250
Automotive Technical Institute is the final to make the cut as the best automotive schools in the Southeast. The school has invested in its community and its community has invested back into the students. This has resulted in the graduates of ATI having a fairly easy time finding jobs in their field. 68% of ATI graduates actually do find a job in the same field that they studied which shows that the school trains their students well.

Locations of Southeast Best Schools

1. West Kentucky Community and Technical College

4810 Alben Barkley Drive

Paducah, Kentucky 42001

2. East Mississippi Community College

8731 S. Frontage Road

Mayhew, MS 39753

3. Oconee Fall Line Technical College

1189 Deepstep Road
Sandersville, GA 31082

4. Northern Virginia Community College

8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003

5. Advanced Technology Institute

5700 Southern Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Research Your School

Continue to do your own research apart from the information we provide. These are the 5 best automotive schools in the Southeast but that does not mean they are going to be the best school for you! There are many things you need to consider, such as location, scholarship opportunity, and the ability to build relationships with instructors and local professionals. Keep in mind things like whether you want to stay close to home or get out of there. Whether you want to go somewhere you have friends or make all new friends.

As always, we are here to help you! We have many different resources to help aspiring auto mechanics find the right school to be successful. One major resource we provide is our scholarship, so be sure you check that out! Along with that, if you know exactly what state you want to study in, we have a list of each automotive school by state you can search. In the end, maybe you need some extra help or just want to talk to someone about this process, we are here for that! Fill out our contact form so we can get in touch.

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Best Automotive Schools in the Midwest

Best Automotive Schools in the Midwest

Best Automotive Schools in the Midwest

There is one region that holds many of the top trade schools in the US. We are here to present the 5 best automotive schools in the Midwest!

Best Automotive Schools by Region: Midwest

Welcome to week 3 of the Best Automotive Schools by Region! This week was probably the most challenging out of all because of the amount of high-caliber schools located in this region, the Midwest. Not only are we looking at the best automotive schools in the Midwest, we are looking at some of the best automotive schools across the entire nation! Just so we are all on the same page, these are the states we are looking at: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Before we begin, you may notice that some of the schools in this list are included in a different order in our top 10 in the nation list. This is the result of a few things, the most influential being the inclusion of new and more recent data. So, many of the schools listed below are familiar but we used the most up-to-date information to identify the best automotive schools in the Midwest. We hope this helps you either start your trade school search or help you decide on your dream school!

Criteria for the Best Automotive Schools

To determine which schools were in fact the best automotive schools in the Midwest, we had to come up with a few parameters. To start, we looked at graduation rate. We decided that this was an important first step as it gives a glimpse into the student body’s view of the school. If students enjoy the school, they should have a higher graduation rate. With smaller community colleges, this isn’t as important because one of their main goals is to get students to transfer to larger universities. Next, we examined the median salary of former students 10 years after they attended the school. Third, we found the average annual cost to attend each school before finally ending with the average debt a student graduates with.
Although these aren’t all the factors that go into making a college great, they can help us get a glimpse into the caliber of certain schools. Before we made our final picks, we then went through and made sure that each school was a certified program by the ASE Education Foundation. Although we cannot guarantee your financial situation will match any of the numbers we have presented, we can guarantee that each of the 5 best automotive schools in the Midwest offer something great. In order to find all of this information, we utilized the amazing tools from College Scorecard.
  1. Graduation Rate
  2. Salary After Graduation
  3. Annual Cost
  4. Debt Upon Graduation

Best Automotive Schools in the Midwest

  • Salina, KS
  • Graduation Rate: 73%
  • Salary After Attending: $32,000
  • Annual Cost: $6,673
  • Debt upon Graduation: $5,500
There are many things that add to Salina Tech being the best automotive school in the Midwest. For starters, the school has been able to sustain small class sizes of 18 to 1, creating an intimate learning environment. Along with that, each program within Salina Tech has 90%-95% job placement in the desired field. This creates great training and opportunity for you!
  • Fairfield, IL
  • Graduation Rate: 71%
  • Salary After Attending: $26,600
  • Annual Cost: $2,400
  • Debt upon Graduation: $5,500
Being the youngest of four schools included in the Illinois Eastern Community College system, Frontier Community College is the second best automotive school in the Midwest. FCC caters to all ages of students as it splits almost 50%-50% between students under 24 and students older than 24. In 2018 the school awarded over 250 degrees and certificates, and it seeks to award even more to great students like you.
  • Beloit, KS
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Salary After Attending: $39,600
  • Annual Cost: $12,251
  • Debt upon Graduation: $9,500
NCK Tech attracts great students through its amazing educators. In fact, the 3rd best automotive school in the Midwest has one of the top educators around leading its automotive programs, Richard Cox. Cox was recently recognized as 2019’s educator of the year by Vision Hi-Tech Training. This high quality education is not new as the school has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1981.
  • Saint Louis, MO
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
  • Salary After Attending: $48,400
  • Annual Cost: $15,479
  • Debt upon Graduation: $12,075
Ranken Technical College has committed to treating its students as industry professionals from the start. This is shown by their commitment to providing 3 hours of hands-on, lab work for every 1 hour of classroom work. This isn’t new to the St. Louis area because the 4th best automotive school in the Midwest has been established in the same location for over 100 years.
  • Linn, MO
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
  • Salary After Attending: $39,900
  • Annual Cost: $10,288
  • Debt upon Graduation: $10,421
As Missouri’s first and only public institution that has devoted all of its time and resources to educating students in technical industries, State Tech finds itself as the fifth best automotive school in the Midwest. State Tech offers more than 35 programs in both traditional and emerging technologies. Along with that, the school has a 97% placement in a related career or further education within 6 months of graduation. This school will get you where you want to go!

Locations of Midwest Best Schools

1. Salina Area Technical College

2562 Centennial Rd
Salina, KS 67401

View School

2. Frontier Community College

2 Frontier Drive
Fairfield, IL 62837-2601

View School

3. North Central Kansas Technical College

3033 US HWY 24
Beloit, Kansas 67420

View School

4. Ranken Technical College

4431 Finney Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63113

View School

5. State Technical College of Missouri

One Technology Drive
Linn, MO 65051

View School

Choose Your School Wisely

As we suggested last week and we will continue to suggest, look into these 5 best automotive schools in the Midwest and many more! The Midwest has so much to offer when it comes to trade schools, especially if you want to become a mechanic. Many of the top trade schools in the nation are located here and there are too many great schools to include in this list. Take into account the location you want to be in, your price-range, and even your personal relationships with instructors. All of these will greatly add to your automotive training experience!

Of course, we can always help! We have many different resources to help aspiring auto mechanics find the right school to be successful. One major resource we provide is our scholarship, so be sure you check that out! Along with that, if you know exactly what state you want to study in, we have a list of each automotive school by state you can search. In the end, maybe you need some extra help or just want to talk to someone about this process, we are here for that! Fill out our contact form so we can get in touch.

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Best Automotive Schools in the Southwest

Best Automotive Schools in the Southwest

The 5 Best Automotive Schools in the Southwest

Aspiring auto mechanics all over the country need a great place to study automotive technology. This is true for every region. So, we put together the 5 best automotive schools in the Southwest!

Best Automotive Schools by Region: Southwest

We are glad you made it to week two of the Best Automotive Schools by Region! This week we look at a region very special to our hearts, the Southwest. As Arizona natives, we know all the details about the region and cannot wait to share with you the 5 best automotive schools in the Southwest. The states we will be looking at consist of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. If you are in one of these states or want to be in the Southwest, these five schools will be a great place to start your search to gain the best automotive training. Auto mechanics in this region can expect to work on a wide range of vehicles as the region has a large amount of diesel, classic, and regular consumer vehicles. Before you check them out, take a look at how we picked these five schools.

Criteria for the Best Automotive Schools

To determine which schools were in fact the best automotive schools in the Southwest, we had to come up with a few parameters. To start, we looked at graduation rate. We decided that this was an important first step as it gives a glimpse into the student body’s view of the school. If students enjoy the school, they should have a higher graduation rate. With smaller community colleges, this isn’t as important because one of their main goals is to get students to transfer to larger universities. Next, we examined the median salary of former students 10 years after they attended the school. Third, we found the average annual cost to attend each school before finally ending with the average debt a student graduates with.
Although these aren’t all the factors that go into making a college great, they can help us get a glimpse into the caliber of certain schools. Before we made our final picks, we then went through and made sure that each school was a certified program by the ASE Education Foundation. Although we cannot guarantee your financial situation will match any of the numbers we have presented, we can guarantee that each of the 5 best automotive schools in the Southwest offer something great. In order to find all of this information, we utilized the amazing tools from College Scorecard.
  1. Graduation Rate
  2. Salary After Graduation
  3. Annual Cost
  4. Debt Upon Graduation

Best Automotive Schools in the Southwest

  • Clovis, NM
  • Graduation Rate: 38%
  • Salary After Attending: $25,800
  • Annual Cost: $6,925
  • Debt upon Graduation: $4,500
In 1969, Eastern New Mexico University partnered with Clovis Municipal Schools to start offering college level classes in the evening. This was the beginning of the best automotive school in the Southwest. Since then, Clovis Community College and its community has invested millions of dollars to ensure the best learning experience possible. Most recently, the school has finished immense upgrades to its health and fitness center.
  • Avondale, AZ
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
  • Salary After Attending: $45,200
  • Annual Cost: $20,016
  • Debt upon Graduation: $17,365
UTI can prepare you for an exciting career as an auto mechanic in many different specializations. The school has heavily invested in their facilities and programs to ensure students receive up-to-date training and gain experience in a setting that is very close to the real world. Also, they have partnered with a plethora of manufacturers to ensure that students gain the training necessary for whatever type of vehicle they desire to work on. Although UTI is one of the best automotive schools in the Southwest, you can find a location in most regions!
  • Midland, TX
  • Graduation Rate: 19%
  • Salary After Attending: $38,300
  • Annual Cost: $8,049
  • Debt upon Graduation: $6,500
Although they offer 2 different bachelor’s degrees, Midland College is dedicated to creating programs and courses that are easily transferrable to universities. This is why the school only has a 19% graduation rate, they have made a great experience for students seeking higher learning. On top of that, they have achieved an incredible 17:1 student to instructor ratio making a great and personal college experience. All of this makes it one of the best automotive schools in the Southwest.
  • Pasadena, TX
  • Graduation Rate: 20%
  • Salary After Attending: $37,700
  • Annual Cost: $8,300
  • Debt upon Graduation: $8,495
With 186 degrees and certificates in 46 technical and university transfer programs, San Jacinto College is in a great place to push you to your next step. Whether that be your career or continued higher education. The college has over 50 years of experience serving the surrounding communities which provides students great opportunities for their future!
  • Wharton, TX
  • Graduation Rate: 16%
  • Salary After Attending: $37,300
  • Annual Cost: $5,620
  • Debt upon Graduation: $7,495
Wharton County Junior College has roots tracing all the way back to 1945 when a 20 cent tax was introduced to fund the school. Now, the school has four campuses and over 6,000 undergrad students. To better serve these students, Wharton continues to invest as they just completed a multi-million dollar renovation/addition to one of their program’s buildings. Therefore, you are in good hands at the fifth best automotive school in the southwest.

Locations of Southwest Best Schools

1. Clovis Community College

417 Schepps Blvd.
Clovis, New Mexico 88101
View School

2. Universal Technical Institute - Avondale

10695 West Pierce Street
Avondale, AZ 85323
View School

3. Midland College

3600 N. Garfield
Midland, TX 79705
View School

4. San Jacinto Community College

8060 Spencer Hwy.
Pasadena, TX 77505
View School

5. Wharton County Junior College

911 Boling Highway
Wharton, Texas 77488
View School

Choose Your School Wisely

As always, we encourage you to do your own research into these 5 best automotive schools in the Southwest and many more! Just because we have identified these, that does not mean they will provide you the best learning experience. Each student is different and each student needs a different learning experience. So, be sure to explore any opportunity you find as you never know when a school will be perfect for you.

Of course, we can help you! We have a multitude of resources to help aspiring auto mechanics find the right school and be successful when training. One major resource we provide is our scholarship, so be sure you check that out! Along with that, if you know exactly what state you want to study in, we have a list of each automotive school by state you can search. Lastly, maybe you need some extra help or just want to talk to someone about this process, we are here for that! Fill out our contact form so we can get in touch.

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The 5 Best Automotive Schools in the West

The 5 Best Automotive Schools in the West

The 5 Best Automotive Schools in the West

We know it can be extremely hard to pick just one school out of hundreds to become an auto mechanic. We have done some work for you and narrowed them down to the 5 best automotive schools in the west.

Best Automotive Schools by Region: West

First of all, we would like to welcome you to the first installment in our new series, The Best Automotive Schools by Region! It’s simple really, we are going across the United States to find the 5 best automotive schools in each region. This week we are looking at the West region and we will continue eastward, region by region, until we hit every region in the country. So, stick around and check back each week for the next five weeks to see the best schools in the United States!

Criteria for the Best Automotive Schools

To determine which schools were in fact the best automotive schools in the west, we had to come up with a few parameters. To start, we looked at graduation rate. We decided that this was an important first step as it gives a glimpse into the student body’s view of the school. If students enjoy the school, they should have a higher graduation rate. With smaller community colleges, this isn’t as important though because one of their main goals is to get students to transfer to larger universities. Next, we examined the median salary of former students 10 years after they attended the school. Third, we found the average annual cost to attend each school before finally ending with the average debt a student graduates with.

Although these aren’t all the factors that go into making a college great, they can help us get a glimpse into the caliber of certain schools. Before we made our final picks, we then went through and made sure that each school was a certified program by the ASE Education Foundation. Although we cannot guarantee your financial situation will match any of the numbers we have presented, we can guarantee that each of the 5 best automotive schools in the west offer something great. In order to find all of this information, we utilized the amazing tools from College Scorecard.

  1. Graduation Rate
  2. Salary After Graduation
  3. Annual Cost
  4. Debt Upon Graduation

Best Automotive Schools in the West

  • Cupertino, CA
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Salary After Attending: $41,700
  • Annual Cost: $4,762
  • Debt upon Graduation: $5,636

De Anza College is a great school to attend for many reasons on top of the great financial situation. The school is the top Silicon Valley college for transfers and it is often the top school to transfer students to University of California, California State University and other private universities. If you are looking to earn your Associate’s Degree and go on to a university for more training, this is the school for you!

  • Renton, WA
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
  • Salary After Attending: $38,800
  • Annual Cost: $7,561
  • Debt upon Graduation: $8,271

On top of those facts, 85% of Renton Technical College graduates are employed within just 9 months after graduation. Along with that, their 59% graduation rate is the highest in Washington for community colleges and career schools. Lastly, RTC is a very inclusive schools as 60% of the student body is represented by students of color. RTC welcomes all who want to succeed making it one of the best automotive schools in the west!

  • Laramie, WY
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Salary After Attending: $45,600
  • Annual Cost: $25,569
  • Debt upon Graduation: $8,998

Being founded in 1966, WyoTech has quite the history! The last 15 years for the school were a little shaky with multiple different owners but just in 2018 a former WyoTech president and alumni decided to purchase the Laramie campus from the previous group owner. The previous owners were closing all the campuses across the U.S. to pursue other opportunities. In just a short period, the new leadership has made a large impact and the future is bright for WyoTech and any student who studies there.

  • Glendora, CA
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Salary After Attending: $30,900
  • Annual Cost: $2,471
  • Debt upon Graduation: $4,750

Founded in 1915, Citrus College is the oldest community college in LA County and the fifth oldest in all of California. They really have figured out how to build a solid institution through diversity. Over 80% of the Citrus College student body is of color and the school has been recognized as the favorite community and career college in the region. They offer 50 associates degrees, 65 certificates, and 19 transfer degrees. All of this (and more) make Citrus College the fourth best automotive school in the west!

  • Ventura, CA
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Salary After Attending: $33,800
  • Annual Cost: $1,961
  • Debt upon Graduation: $6,500

Ventura College was the first college in Ventura County and has since spawned community colleges in Moorpark and Oxnard. The college in Ventura offers 33 majors in associate of arts and associate of science. Because of the community’s commitment to Ventura College, the school has undergone a multitude of improvements within the last 10 years. For example, a new sports complex, the Advanced Technology Center, General Purposes Classroom Building and the Health Sciences Center.

Where are they?

1. De Anza College

21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 View School

2. Renton Technical College

3000 NE 4th St. Renton, WA 98056 View School

3. WyoTech

1889 Venture Drive Laramie, Wyoming 82070 View School

4. Citrus College

1000 W. Foothill Blvd. Glendora, CA 91741 View School

5. Ventura College

4667 Telegraph Road Ventura, CA 93003 View School

Pick the Right School For You

After considering these schools, it’s important to reach out to the few you are most interested in. Even though some of these schools are a little bit expensive, there are many scholarship opportunities out there for general community college students and specifically for future mechanics. These are the best automotive schools in the west but that does not mean they are the best one for you. Keep in mind all factors necessary when choosing the right school for you. Along with that, there are many great schools throughout the rest of the country so be sure you check back next week to see more of the best schools in the United States!

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Vatterott College Closing

Vatterott College Closing

Vatterott College Closing

Back in December, Vatterott College announced that it would be closing all its locations. If you are left in the dark, we are here to help!

Why did Vatterott Career College Close?

This is simple really, a lack of money. Back in January of 2018, Vatterott College was purchased by Education Corporation of America (ECA). This was a poor plan as ECA was already struggling to stay above the water and their purchase of another struggling organization did not help. Vatterott had expanded quicker than it could handle which put them in this sticky situation. In the end, all of the Vatterott College locations closed in December leaving thousands of students in the dark. Some students had just a few weeks left in their degrees but there was nothing Vatterott could do as they were already put on probation. So, if you are in this position, what do you do? Well, we are here to help!

Find a Nearby Trade School

In order to finish your degree, you should look at neighboring schools that offer automotive degrees. Fortunately, we have looked at all of the Vatterott College locations and picked a few schools offering automotive degrees that were nearby (within a 1 hour drive). We strongly recommend you reach out to these schools to complete your degree as soon as possible. So far, many of these schools have been very understanding and transferring many of the credits over. Unfortunately, you will most likely need to retake some of your classes but that is better than redoing your entire degree! Below is a list of Vatterott Career College Locations and their neighboring automotive trade schools.

Vatterott College Location Substitutes

Joplin, MO Campus

Crowder College

601 Laclede Neosho, MO 64850

 

Kansas State University

1701 S Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762

St. Louis, MO Campus

St. Louis Community College

Multiple Campuses

Ranken Technical College

Wentzville and St. Louis

Jefferson College

1000 Viking Drive Hillsboro, MO 63050

Kansas City, MO Campus

Metropolitan Community College

500 SW Longview Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64081-2105

University of Central Missouri

108 W. South St. Warrensburg, MO 64093

Johnson County Community College

12345 College Blvd Overland Park, KS 66210

Kansas City Kansas Community College

7250 State Ave Kansas City, KS 66112

St. Charles, MO Campus

St. Louis Community College

Multiple Campuses

Ranken Technical College

Wentzville and St. Louis

Sunset Hills, MO Campus

St. Louis Community College

Multiple Campuses

Ranken Technical College

Wentzville and St. Louis

Jefferson College

1000 Viking Drive Hillsboro, MO 63050

Springfield, MO Campus

Crowder College

601 Laclede Neosho, MO 64850

 

Ozarks Technical Community College

1001 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO 65802

Memphis, TN Campus

Southwest Tennessee Community College

737 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103

Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Memphis

550 Alabama Ave. Memphis, TN 38105

Tulsa, OK Campus

Oklahoma Technical College

4444 South Sheridan Tulsa, OK 74145

Central Technology Center

3 CT Circle Drumright, OK 74030

Tri County Technology Center

6101 Nowata Rd Bartlesville, OK 74006

Fairview Heights, IL Campus

St. Louis Community College

Multiple Campuses

Ranken Technical College

Wentzville and St. Louis

Jefferson College

1000 Viking Drive Hillsboro, MO 63050

Need Help? Look No Further.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, we are here to help! Whether you are looking for the perfect school or needing assistance finding the right scholarship, we can help. The best advice we can give to anyone is to just do your research. This transition from schools can be tough and transferring to a low-quality school will make it even worse. That is why you need to explore every single opportunity available to ensure you go to a school that will equip you with the best skills to become an auto mechanic. Follow the links below to find what’s best!

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The Future of Women Auto Mechanics

The Future of Women Auto Mechanics

The Future of Women Auto Mechanics

Despite being the largest automotive customer, women auto mechanics are rare. Find out why the future is bright for women in the automotive industry.

Current State of Women in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry has historically been a toxic environment for women. As a result, women are not equally represented within automotive technician occupations. Consequently, this can be seen not only in the employment statistics but also in how women are treated by auto technicians. According to Volvo, two-thirds of vehicle maintenance jobs are done for women. Therefore, it would only make sense that women would represent at least half of the field. This is not the case. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 9.7% of employees in the automotive repair and maintenance industry in 2018 were women.

This is horrible representation for women and has resulted in a horrible consumer experience as well. Therefore, a few researchers from Northwestern University (Meghan Busse and Florian Zettelmeyer), Harvard University, and AutoMD got together and conducted an experiment. As a result, they found that women who are uninformed on what a repair may cost are consistently quoted a higher price than men in the same situation. Naturally, women try not to go to the auto shop as much as possible. This is slowly changing as we see more women auto mechanics in the auto industry.

FAQ’s for a Female Auto Mechanic

If you are aspiring to become an auto technician these are some of the most asked questions for a female auto mechanic.

How much do female mechanics make?

Average Annual Salary in $

According to data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014, women maintenance employees made about 88% of men’s earnings. So, female mechanics make about $725 a week or $37,000 annually. In contrast, this is a little lower than the average automotive technician which earns about $39,000 a year.

How many female mechanics are there in the US?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that there are 19,236 female auto mechanics (2.1% of all auto mechanics) and a total 130,174 women in the automotive repair and maintenance field. Furthermore, women account for 9.7% of the 1,342,000 total employees in the auto repair and maintenance industry in the US. In contrast, there were only 12,000 female auto mechanics out of 837,000 total mechanics in 1999. Therefore, in 1999 only 1.4% of auto mechanics were women while in 2018 2.1% of auto mechanics were women.

What percentage of car buyers are women?

Even though automotive maintenance is a horrible environment for women, women account for 53% of all new cars purchased each year. Even more, women make up a $200 billion market with the purchase of new cars and vehicle maintenance. So, it really makes no sense that the automotive industry would be such an uncomfortable place for women. Therefore, women auto mechanics are seeking to transform that. In fact, there are some women in the automotive industry that are truly transforming the way things are done.

%

Percent of Car Buyers are Women

Influential Women in Automotive Field

Perhaps one of the largest reasons female auto mechanics are a rare sighting is because of a lack of role models in the past. As a result, it is hard for young girls to look up to women in the automotive industry and realize they can go into that field as well. Even though, this is slowly but surely changing and these are some of the women leading the charge.

Patrice Banks

An ex-engineer for a Fortune 500 company and a current automotive technician/founder of Girls Auto Clinic, Patrice Banks is leading women auto mechanics. After being fed-up with such a horrible consumer environment, Banks decided to start her own auto shop in Pennsylvania. In the end, she did it. She employed, educated, and empowered female auto mechanics and she catered to female automotive consumers.

Audra Fordin

Another very influential woman in automotive is Audra Fordin who is the owner of Great Bear Auto Repair in New York state. She has been working in the field for 27 years and has dedicated her career to educating and empowering other women in the automotive industry. To do this, she founded Women Auto Know and is teaching future women auto mechanics all over the country. Along with that, she is connecting trained women with auto shops.

Mary Barra

In a different area than Patrice and Audra, Mary Barra is the CEO General Motors. Barra took over GM in 2014 just 5 years after the company filed for bankruptcy and has transformed their strategy. Before her takeover, GM was focused on sliding by as long as they could. In contrast, Barra has brought GM to a place that will not only last but be a leader in the automotive industry. Hence, she is truly an influential woman in the automotive industry.

Future of Women Auto Mechanics

With the growth of organizations committed to educating and empowering future women auto mechanics, the future is bright for an aspiring female auto mechanic. For example, Girls Auto Clinic has many different resources for women. First of all, you can schedule a private workshop to learn more about automotive technologies or you can attend one of their free monthly workshops. Through these, they will teach common maintenance tasks and schedules, common auto failures & costs, what is under your hood, and what you can and can’t touch under your hood. Therefore, women will learn these essential tips and help transform the industry.

Shops like this and like the Great Bear Auto Repair shop run by Audra Fordin are leading the industry. Most noteworthy, they have realized that the number one customer in the automotive industry are women. Therefore, tailoring their auto shops to women will make them more successful and create a better consumer experience for everyone.

In the end, now is truly the time to become a female auto mechanic. Browse our site to find the right school and program for you!

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Trade School vs. Apprenticeship

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship

There are many different ways to become an auto mechanic. Find out the pros and cons of two of the paths as we look at trade school vs. apprenticeship.

Difference Between Trade School and Apprenticeship

When seeking a career as an auto mechanic, it is important to keep in mind all of your options to gain training. No matter what, you know that working on cars is what fuels you up so that is what you’re going to do! Maybe you’re asking, “Can you become a mechanic without going to school?” The answer is yes, and there are a few ways to get there. Perhaps the most common today is trade school while apprenticeships are being pursued less and less. Either way, both are great options and can get you to a career working on autos! The major differences between the two are cost, time and learning styles. Keep in mind that neither of the two is objectively better than the other. Even though each are great options, one may be better than the other in your personal situation. So, let’s dive in to see what is the difference between an apprenticeship and a vocational course.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship: Cost

In the world of a large and growing student debt, the cost of training is a huge deciding factor for students. It is true that trade school is much more reasonably priced than college. Even still, trade school can cost thousands of dollars a semester. This in turn forces students to take out loans up to $10,000 on average. This is where an apprenticeship can really shine, you get paid to do it! Each apprenticeship will pay different amounts just like a regular job although as you learn more and gain more experience your wage should increase. In the U.S. the average wage for an apprentice is $15.00 per hour according to the U.S. Department of Labor. So, as an apprentice you can learn to do the thing you love while getting paid! This sounds almost too good to be true!

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship: Time

It is important to consider that many apprenticeships last much longer than vocational training. Trade school degrees often take about 2 years to complete while many apprenticeships can last from 3 to 5 years. Although you are getting paid throughout the entire training, apprentices are often required to sign a contract to complete the entire program. If you end up hating the environment or people you work for, this can be an extremely long time.

Years to Complete Trade School

Years to Complete Apprenticeship

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship: Learning Style

In trade school, education is split between two different styles, theoretical (classroom) and practical (hands-on) learning. This can be good but it is important to choose a school that provides as much hands-on learning as you desire. Some programs will even require you to work as an intern in an auto shop although these sometimes are unpaid internships. If all you want is hands-on learning then an apprenticeship may be the route for you. Apprenticeships are structured however the employer desires. Therefore, they may incorporate some theoretical learning but a majority will be practical. The downside of having all hands-on learning is that it is harder to learn and understand the science behind automotive technologies. In a trade school these will be taught through models and instruction in the classroom.

VS.

Pros and Cons

Pros of Trade School

  • Incorporates both hands-on and classroom learning
  • Provides a more well-rounded education
    • Including soft skills such as communication, time management, writing, and budgeting
  • Instructors are professionally trained mechanics and teachers
  • Can earn specialized training much easier through specific programs
  • You can often choose your class schedule allowing you to work part-time

Pros of Apprenticeship

  • Immense amounts of real-world application training
    • Work with real customers face-to-face
  • You get PAID TO LEARN
    • The more you learn, often the more you get paid (this depends on your employer)
  • Often leads to a full-time job offer upon completion
  • Does not cost money to gain training
    • Other than cost of tools
  • Often is a much faster paced learning environment

Cons of Trade School

  • Large financial commitment
    • Average student graduates with $10,000 in debt
    • Average program costs $32,832
  • Lacks training or experience dealing with customers
  • Can be too slow for individuals who learn best when just thrown into the fire

Cons of Apprenticeship

  • It is uncertain whether the person you are learning from will be a good mechanic or a good teacher
  • Competition is extremely high to land an apprenticeship
    • Important to start building your automotive network to lessen this
  • Can be frustrating if you do not get along well with your coworkers and employer

How do I get an Apprenticeship?

There are many different ways to get into an apprenticeship program. Maybe you have a connection with a local auto shop owner and they are willing to hire you as an apprentice or maybe you don’t have any connections and are new to the industry. If so, perhaps the best directory for finding apprenticeships is hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor. The thing that really sets their apprenticeship directory apart from others is that they include both private and government organizations seeking apprentices. Most other directories only provide private sector companies seeking apprentices, which limits your opportunity! If you are having trouble getting accepted or hired in an apprenticeship, you might want to gain a little basic training to put on your résumé. This could be taking a couple extra auto shop classes in high school or taking a few automotive classes at your local trade school.

Apprenticeship FAQs

Understanding the best path for you to become a mechanic can be hard and brings up many different questions. When considering trade school vs. apprenticeship this could not be truer! Here are some of the most common questions we see regarding whether trade school or apprenticeship is right for you.

Can you become a mechanic without going to school?

Yes, of course! This is the essence of an apprenticeship. Many people are simply not tuned to sit in school all day, which is why apprenticeships are still around. For many people, completing an apprenticeship will be much more valuable and educational than attending a trade school or even a 4-year university.

What is the difference between an apprenticeship and a vocational course?

There are many differences between apprenticeships and trade school, these are the major factors:

Trade School Apprenticeship
Pay to learn Paid to learn
Blend between classroom and hands-on learning Almost all hands-on learning
Average of 2 years to complete Average of 4 years to complete

Are apprenticeships paid?

Apprenticeships are treated just like regular employment so yes, they are paid. The amount of pay will vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Some may be salary based and some may be hourly based, it all just depends on the program and the employer.

How much do apprentices get paid?

According to the US Department of Labor, the average starting wage for an apprentice is $15.00 per hour. Keep in mind that this is the starting pay and many apprenticeships have different levels built into the program. So, once you gain different skills you will start to earn more money. Hopefully by the end you will be earning enough money to sustain yourself and family (or future family).  Along with that, there is a large chance your employer will want to hire you full-time afterward.

Why do apprentices get paid so little?

In the US, the average apprentice wage ($15.00) is well over the national minimum wage of $7.25. On top of that, it is higher than the highest minimum wage in the country of $13.25. Considering this, $15.00 is a very good wage for a starting job fresh out of high school or fresh into a new career. The reason it is not higher is because employers see that there is much more value being added to the apprentice than just money. You give up a (potentially) higher wage for the chance to learn great skills for your career as an auto mechanic.

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Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship

Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship

Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship

Mike Rowe has been a pioneer for encouraging students to choose a career in trades rather than going to college. The Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship helps!

Mike Rowe Works Foundation

You may know Mike Rowe from his classic television show, “Dirty Jobs” or his newer endeavors on “Returning the Favor.” What you may not know is that Mike Rowe has his own 501(c) (3) charity, Mike Rowe Works Foundation. His foundation is committed to enabling individuals to gain skilled training to help fill the skilled laborer employment gap here in the United States. In turn, they do this through the Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship Program. The Mike Rowe Scholarship is available for high school seniors, high school graduates, or those who have acquired a GED and is aspiring to start a career in a skilled trade.

Who is Mike Rowe?

Mike Rowe has been an advocate for trade schools ever since he went into a “dirty job” in every state in his show “Dirty Jobs.” In this show, Rowe worked all sorts of skilled trade laborers such as plumbers, electricians, steamfitters, pipe fitters, brick layers, farmers, fishers, and many others. From these experiences Rowe realized that trade workers weren’t what he thought. On the Mike Rowe Works Foundation website they state, “To his surprise, they didn’t resemble the unflattering, blue-collar workers often portrayed in the media. This misperception resulted in an undeniable disparity between available skilled jobs and the unemployed local population.” Because of this, he has made it his mission to redefine this for the nation and he is working towards this through the Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship.

Skilled Laborer Shortage

This is all to help encourage more students get into a trade career which is lacking millions of employees. Rowe sums up the nations problem very well in a Facebook post, “6.2 million jobs that are currently vacant, the majority of which require training and specific skills – not an expensive, four-year degree. And yet we’re still telling our kids that college is the best path for most people. The result is $1.4 trillion dollars of outstanding student loans, a 50% college dropout rate, a legion of debt-ridden graduates who can’t find work in their chosen field, and millions of empty positions in dozens of technical industries.” Right now is perhaps the best time to enter into trade school and what better way to pay than with the Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship.

Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship Requirements

Although these are not all of the details, this is a short description of what you will need to do to qualify for Mike Rowe Works Foundation’s Work Ethic Scholarship:

  • Be enrolled or enrolling in an approved program by the Foundation
  • Read and sign the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge the Mike Rowe champions
  • Write answers to 3 different questions
  • Complete a short essay on the topic defined in the Mike Rowe Scholarship Application
  • Provide 2 or more references from teachers/bosses
  • Create a short video
  • Prove your school costs
  • Submit your high school or college transcript
  • Provide your financial situation

Mike Rowe Scholarship Award Amount

The Mike Rowe Works Foundation has compiled a large amount of money to award to multiple different students from across the country. Some of their sponsors for the scholarship are the Charles Koch Foundation, Maxwell House coffee, Wolverine, and more. Altogether, Mike Rowe’s foundation has raised over $400,000 to be awarded as educational scholarships. The award amount will vary from each recipient as it all depends on the student’s financial need and the price of their vocational education.

Previous Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship recipient, Michael Gamez speaks about his experience as an aspiring skilled trade worker.

Important Dates of Mike Rowe Works Foundation’s Scholarship

  • Application period opens January 28, 2019
  • Application deadline March 28, 2019
  • Applicants must be enrolled in vocational education after December 31, 2018

To find the application and more information on Mike Rowe Works Foundation’s Work Ethic Scholarship or our own scholarship click the respective button below. As well as scholarship information, we can help you find the perfect school to become an auto mechanic so be sure to explore our site!

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The First of Many Automotive Scholarships

The First of Many Automotive Scholarships

Meet the First-Ever Future Mechanic Grant Recipient

Trade School Future has awarded its first of many automotive scholarships to a student from Louisiana. The student will be studying Automotive Technology at Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Future Mechanic Grant 2018 Recipient

In 2018, we started providing financial aid to aspiring auto mechanics across the country through a financial grant, the Future Mechanic Grant. This is the first of many automotive scholarships and it is a one-time award of $1,000 for furthering automotive education. As a result, students all across the country submitted applications to be selected to receive this specific grant out of many automotive technology scholarships. Our selection committee had a very hard time selecting a single winner from the many amazing applicants, which brings us hope for the future auto mechanics.

Applications for the Future Mechanic Grant opened in Summer 2018 and closed December 31, 2018. This is when the selection process began and the winner was eventually singled out on January 14, 2019. Automotive industry scholarships are awarded to many different students for many different reasons. Our goal was to find a student who showed great initiative for their education and a high passion for the automotive industry. This led us to choose Treylon Martin as our Future Mechanic Grant recipient. Read about him below!

Meet Our Scholarship Winner

Treylon is pursuing a degree in Automotive Technology from Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana. His studies will start upon graduation from high school at Math Science Arts Academy West (MSA-West). Treylon stood out specifically for his initiative and passion for learning more about automotive technology. For example, Treylon has started learning by simply doing! He began by purchasing a wrecked 2007 Honda Civic Ex Coupe to rebuild it and bring it back to its prime condition. He has finished almost all the body work and is working towards having fine-tuned performance out of the vehicle. The vehicle which was once unusable! Treylon explained that his passion for working on cars came from both his father and his uncle. He reminisced, “Starting off like most kids, handing their father tools, I caught the bug for the automotive field. In particular, rebuilding my first car has truly made me fall in love with this kind of work.”

Automotive Scholarships

This passion and initiative that are so clear in Treylon are needed in auto shops all across the US. Our country is facing a shortage in skilled workers for many trade careers. We are hoping our automotive scholarships will help. Automotive technology scholarships can equip students with the financial aid necessary to attend a trade school. At Trade School Future, our goal is to empower students to reach their dreams of becoming auto mechanics. This happens through automotive industry scholarships as well as other great resources. We believe this is necessary to sustain such a large and fast market such as the automotive industry.

Future Mechanic Grant 2019 Application

Therefore, we have decided to offer the Future Mechanic Grant for a second year in a row. If you are just graduating high school or looking for a career change, this is for you! Take 10 minutes to fill out our application to earn a $1,000 award to push you towards your dreams. Make sure you keep an eye on our automotive scholarships page as we will be adding more in the future. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to us and ask us your questions!

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