Best institutions to study Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features.
264 U.S. institutions graduated 5,352 Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 47.0603, a specialization of Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.06), and leads most directly to the Automotive Body and Related Repairers occupation (BLS SOC 49-3021).
About Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. Includes instruction in structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician program prepares students to apply technical skills in the repair and finishing of automobile bodies and external features. Ideal for those interested in the mechanic and repair technologies field, this program covers various aspects of vehicle maintenance and repair, focusing on restoring vehicles to their original condition after damage.
Students will gain knowledge in structure analysis, damage repair, and painting techniques, along with hands-on experience using power tools and welding equipment. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and mechanical knowledge, essential for success in the automotive repair industry.
Credentials awarded
What Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2,409 graduates / yr · 185 institutions45%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,981 graduates / yr · 122 institutions37%
- Associate's degree632 graduates / yr · 116 institutions12%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years270 graduates / yr · 12 institutions5.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks60 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.1%
Graduates over time
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,761 |
| 2013 | 7,840 |
| 2014 | 6,894 |
| 2015 | 6,589 |
| 2016 | 5,790 |
| 2017 | 5,564 |
| 2018 | 5,420 |
| 2019 | 5,149 |
| 2020 | 4,515 |
| 2021 | 4,487 |
| 2022 | 4,724 |
| 2023 | 4,783 |
| 2024 | 5,462 |
| 2025 | 5,352 |
Top 50 institutions for Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 172 | 37% | — | — |
| 2 | WyoTech Laramie, WYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 107 | 85% | $42,361 | $35,524 |
| 3 | Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 101 | 60% | $22,532 | $40,469 |
| 4 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 99 | 34% | — | $31,633 |
| 5 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 98 | 24% | — | — |
| 6 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 97 | 32% | — | $36,956 |
| 7 | Automeca Technical College - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 95 | 80% | $4,447 | $15,287 |
| 8 | Mech - Tech College Caguas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 91 | 72% | $13,886 | $17,011 |
| 9 | Lincoln College of Technology - Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 75 | 73% | $31,422 | $35,905 |
| 10 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 73 | 21% | — | — |
| 11 | Nashville Auto - Diesel College Nashville, TNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 73 | 68% | $28,799 | $35,905 |
| 12 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 71 | 37% | — | — |
| 13 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 68 | 42% | — | $42,294 |
| 14 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 67 | 20% | — | — |
| 15 | Universal Technical Institute - Southern California Long Beach, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 65 | 63% | $26,553 | $39,458 |
| 16 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 64 | 48% | — | $46,758 |
| 17 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 81% | — | $36,437 |
| 18 | Lincoln College of Technology - Denver Denver, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 62 | 71% | $33,052 | $35,905 |
| 19 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 60 | 29% | — | $52,060 |
| 20 | Northeast Technology Center Pryor, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 59 | 97% | — | $31,330 |
| 21 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Muskogee, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 58 | 100% | — | $16,315 |
| 22 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 56 | 33% | — | $37,228 |
| 23 | Automeca Technical College - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 54 | 73% | $4,319 | $15,287 |
| 24 | Pennco Tech - Blackwood Blackwood, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 52 | 72% | $23,217 | $36,800 |
| 25 | Automeca Technical College - Aguadilla Aguadilla, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 51 | 80% | $7,322 | $15,287 |
| 26 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 58% | — | — |
| 27 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 33% | — | — |
| 28 | Mohave Community College Kingman, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 38% | — | — |
| 29 | Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 44 | 41% | — | — |
| 30 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 44 | 19% | — | $26,635 |
| 31 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 43 | 46% | — | $38,506 |
| 32 | Lincoln College of Technology - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 42 | 57% | $30,992 | $35,905 |
| 33 | Compton College Compton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 41 | 27% | — | — |
| 34 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 34% | — | — |
| 35 | Lincoln Technical Institute - East Windsor East Windsor, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 62% | $27,142 | $32,767 |
| 36 | University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of less than 12 weeks | 38 | 36% | — | $21,483 |
| 37 | Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park Melrose Park, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 68% | $25,508 | $32,767 |
| 38 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 38 | 34% | — | $50,956 |
| 39 | Cypress College Cypress, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 37% | — | — |
| 40 | Cleveland Community College Shelby, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 32% | — | — |
| 41 | Ohio Technical College Cleveland, OHPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 35 | 90% | $28,679 | $34,312 |
| 42 | Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center Choctaw, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 92% | — | — |
| 43 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 30% | — | — |
| 44 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 21% | — | — |
| 45 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 34 | 50% | — | $35,550 |
| 46 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 34 | 18% | — | $48,144 |
| 47 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 31% | — | — |
| 48 | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 33 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 71% | — | $36,758 |
| 50 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 30 | 31% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 47.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 44 states & territories
Where Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-3021, Automotive Body and Related Repairers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Automotive Body and Related Repairers, with an expected annual opening of 14,600 positions. The median wage for this occupation is $51,680, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry into the field, with little or no change in job outlook projected.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 47.0603
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Automotive Body and Related Repairersprimary SOC 49-3021 | $54,890 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~14,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders SOC 51-9124 | $48,250 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~15,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers SOC 49-3022 | $47,630 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~1,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage SOC 13-1032 | $78,240 | -8.2% Decline | ~500 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
- Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
- Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
- Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
Tools and technology used
Other Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.06).
- Automobile/CIP 47.0604
Automotive Mechanics Technology/ Technician 46,331 graduates / yr762 institutions - Diesel Mechanics Technology/CIP 47.0605
Technician 10,165 graduates / yr309 institutions - Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0607
Technician 9,434 graduates / yr157 institutions - Aircraft Powerplant Technology/CIP 47.0608
Technician 3,661 graduates / yr97 institutions - Medium/CIP 47.0613
Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/ Technician 2,278 graduates / yr87 institutions - Marine Maintenance/CIP 47.0616
Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/ Technician 918 graduates / yr48 institutions - Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0611
Technician 852 graduates / yr28 institutions - Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0600
Technician 814 graduates / yr27 institutions - Avionics Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0609
Technician 710 graduates / yr35 institutions - High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/CIP 47.0617
Mechanic 479 graduates / yr13 institutions - Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/CIP 47.0614
Technician 192 graduates / yr23 institutions - Small Engine Mechanics and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0606
Technician 182 graduates / yr24 institutions - Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/CIP 47.0699
Technicians 157 graduates / yr10 institutions - Engine MachinistCIP 47.0615limited data55 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Recreation Vehicle (RV) Service TechnicianCIP 47.0618limited data25 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Bicycle Mechanics and Repair Technology/CIP 47.0610
Technician limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions - Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0612
Technician limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
See all Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn?+
You can earn awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mechanical knowledge, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Automotive Body Technician, Auto Body Refinisher, or in related roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 14,600 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician?+
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician is CIP 47.0603 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.06). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies, fenders, and external features. Includes instruction in structure analysis, damage repair, non-structural analysis, mechanical and electrical components, plastics and adhesives, painting and refinishing techniques, and damage analysis and estimating.
How many institutions offer Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician programs?+
264 U.S. institutions reported Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 5,352 credentials in the year. That is 6.6% of all Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Automotive Body and Related Repairers occupation, which Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $54,890 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $37,001 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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