2026 Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools
[Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/agricultural-mechanics-and-equipment-machine-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology schools.
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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology School for You
The right agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools
For return on investment in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, no school beat Shasta College this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reedley College earned it the #3 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology schools. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $12,990. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $56,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Merced College one of the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #6 for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $43,446. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Bakersfield College landed the #7 spot for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $9,419. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #8 for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College placed #9 among the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Located in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Rend Lake College earned the #10 position for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $42,770. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #11 position for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $17,900. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area placed #12 among the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $14,935. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College landed the #13 spot for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology value this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College placed #14 among the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $8,575. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College placed #15 among the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $44,467. That is a strong return on a $12,112 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #16 spot for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology value this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $12,553 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $62,531. That is a strong return on a $12,553 median debt.
Illinois Central College earned the #17 position for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $12,222. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology schools. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $12,730. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $55,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
University Of Northwestern Ohio came in at #19 for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Located in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,366. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $44,784. That is a strong return on a $23,805 median debt.
Perry Technical Institute earned the #20 position for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Perry Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Yakima. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $7,892. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of Perry Technical Institute earn a median of $43,797 early in their careers. Set against $7,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
