Virginia Community Colleges
Automotive Technology Programs
Automotive technology programs at community colleges in this state. ASE-aligned coursework for technicians and service writers.
12 colleges · 192 sections · 45 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Auto-tech programs at Virginia community colleges prepare students for ASE-certified service technician careers at dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet operations, and specialty performance/heavy-equipment facilities. The 192 sections at 12 VCCS colleges this term combine shop hours on real vehicles with theory in engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, HVAC, and (increasingly) electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Most Virginia programs are NATEF-accredited and aligned to ASE testing — graduates can sit for individual ASE exams (A1 engine repair, A4 suspension/steering, etc.) and stack credentials over their career. The diploma or AAS gets students into the shop; the ASE certifications and dealer-specific training (Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT) are what determine long-term pay.
Earnings & outcomes for Automotive Technology graduates
Federal College Scorecard data on what graduates of this program actually earn after completion. Where a school’s cohort is too small to publish, we show the national benchmark for the same field of study.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, per-program (4-digit CIP) data. CIP 4706 — Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians. School cohorts are suppressed by the federal source when fewer than ~30 completers in the reporting cohort.
Colleges offering Automotive Technology
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College | 74 | 16 | — | 100 | $61,320 |
| Tidewater Community College | 34 | 11 | — | 503 | — |
| Germanna Community College | 17 | 9 | — | 28 | — |
| Reynolds Community College | 12 | 12 | — | 72 | — |
| New River Community College | 10 | 7 | — | 30 | — |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | 10 | 10 | — | 20 | — |
| Danville Community College | 8 | 8 | 1 | 19 | — |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | 8 | 6 | — | 5 | — |
| Virginia Western Community College | 8 | 3 | — | 22 | — |
| Blue Ridge Community College | 5 | 5 | — | 81 | — |
| Southside Virginia Community College | 4 | 4 | — | 24 | $39,517 |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | 2 | 1 | — | 11 | — |
Automotive Technology Availability Snapshot
How automotive technology sections are being offered across 12 colleges in Virginia this term (192 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person125 (65%)
- hybrid66 (34%)
- online1 (1%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)92
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)26
- Evening (5 PM and after)48
- Asynchronous / TBA26
Start dates
Sections begin on 19 distinct dates. 191 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Blue Ridge Community College4 programs
Danville Community College2 programs
Eastern Shore Community College1 program
1st Session
- AUT 101Introduction to Automotive Systems(3 cr)not offered
- AUT 149Basic Automotive Electrical Diagnostics(5 cr)not offered
- AUT 151Automotive Braking Systems Diagnostics(5 cr)not offered
- AUT 153Automotive Steering and Suspension Systems Diagnostics(5 cr)not offered
- AUT 197Cooperative Education(1 cr)not offered
Source: College catalog
Germanna Community College2 programs
New River Community College2 programs
Northern Virginia Community College6 programs
Patrick & Henry Community College1 program
Requirements
Minimum Required for Career Studies Certificate: 16 Credits
16 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
Reynolds Community College3 programs
Southside Virginia Community College2 programs
Southwest Virginia Community College2 programs
Tidewater Community College4 programs
Virginia Peninsula Community College2 programs
Virginia Western Community College1 program
Third Semester (Summer)
- AUT 266Auto Alignment, Suspension and Steering2 sections
Source: College catalog
Common Automotive Technology courses
- AUT 111Automotive Engines I(20 sections)
- AUT 241Automotive Electricity I(20 sections)
- AUT 265Automotive Braking Systems(12 sections)
- AUT 112Automotive Engines II(11 sections)
- AUT 100Introduction to Automotive Shop Practices(10 sections)
- AUT 266Auto Alignment, Suspension and Steering(10 sections)
- AUT 101Introduction to Automotive Systems(9 sections)
- AUT 149Basic Automotive Electrical Diagnostics(9 sections)
- AUT 122Automotive Fuel Systems II(8 sections)
- AUT 136Automotive Vehicle Inspection(8 sections)
- AUT 141Auto Power Trains I(8 sections)
- AUT 121Automotive Fuel Systems I(5 sections)
Career outlook for Automotive Technology graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Virginia’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Virginia's typical pay is about 15% above the typical state — a strong sign of healthy local demand.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Will I need to buy my own tools?
- Eventually yes. Most Virginia programs supply the shop tools you'll use during training, but ASE-certified service technicians at dealerships and independents are expected to bring their own. Tool collections build over a career; budget $3-8k in the first year of full-time employment, much more over time. Some shops offer tool-purchase assistance for new hires.
- What's the pay range for an auto tech?
- Starting techs (apprentices, lube-rack roles) earn $15-20/hr at most Virginia shops. Master-certified techs with multiple ASE credentials at busy dealerships earn $25-45/hr, often on a flat-rate (book-time) system that rewards faster, more efficient work. Diesel and specialty techs (BMW, Mercedes, performance shops) earn the upper end. Independent-shop ownership is the long-tail career path.
- Are EV-specific training and certifications part of the program?
- Increasingly yes. Most Virginia community college auto-tech programs have added high-voltage safety training and intro EV-drivetrain content in the last few years; some offer dedicated EV-tech credentials. The dealer-specific programs (Ford ASSET-EV, GM ASEP-EV) cover brand-specific procedures and are the strongest credential for EV-focused careers.
- Do I need an associate degree or just the diploma?
- For getting hired as a tech, the one-year diploma plus ASE certs is enough at most Virginia shops. The AAS adds business courses, management, and writing — useful if you eventually want to run your own shop or move into service-advisor / shop-foreman roles. Many techs come back for the AAS after a few years in the field.
Compare Automotive Technology programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Virginia’s automotive technology programs stack up.
Other programs in Virginia
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.