by our College Data Analytics Team
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/engineering-technologies/electromechanical-engineering-technology/mechatronics-robotics-and-automation-engineering-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for associate degree schools students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the associate degree schools degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in associate degree schools, no school beat Wayne Community College this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $5,500. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #2 place for associate degree schools. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Craven Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.
Schoolcraft College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #4 spot this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Macomb Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $9,862. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #7 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $18,456. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $46,631 early in their careers. Set against $18,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College landed the #9 spot for associate degree schools value this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $45,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College landed the #10 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,582. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #11 for value in associate degree schools this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $65,178. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $38,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #13 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $42,016. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #14 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $7,457 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $47,684. Set against $7,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #15 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $60,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical came in at #16 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,432. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $22,522. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $50,290. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Alamance Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for associate degree schools. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $63,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Associate Degree Schools rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.