Any recommendations for Mechanic schools in South Jersey/Philadelphia

Hello,
I am going to be graduating from high school this year and would
like to go to school for auto mechanics. My father wants me to go to
college, so I have found a way of satisfying both. Our local community
college, BCC, offers an associates degree in auto mechanics in
combination with a tech school called BCTI
(http://www.bcit.cc/bcit/site/default.asp). Any comments on this
school? Any comments on this path? I'm looking for the best school
I can go to, that provides the best prospects upon graduation.
My only other option would be going in the service and learn there,
have actual hands on experience, but my father doesn't think that's
such a great idea either. He was in the Navy for 10 years and said it
may take a while before you are actually trusted enough to work on
equipment.
Any advice from people in the trade is most welcomed.


P.S. What is the salary range for starting out and after a few years
experience. My father thinks that becoming an engineer and designing
the engines would be a better path, but I really don't want to design
them, I want to work on them. Thanks.