ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
$14,018 Avg Student Debt
$41,411 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 15.08), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Automotive & Engine Repair)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Automotive & Engine Repair)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8

2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the automotive engineering technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools

1

Leading the list is Florida State College At Jacksonville, our #1 best value for automotive engineering technology/technician in the United States. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned it the #2 place for automotive engineering technology/technician. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $34,762. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for automotive engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $18,419. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian River State College earned it the #5 place for automotive engineering technology/technician. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #101
6
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,999. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $39,549 early in their careers. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Mercer County Community College earned the #7 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Raritan Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.

9

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #9 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $40,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College earned the #10 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $35,362. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Great Basin College earned the #11 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,923, while out-of-state students pay about $11,996. Students borrow a median of $17,128 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $67,461. That is a strong return on a $17,128 median debt.

12

Columbus State Community College placed #12 among the best values for automotive engineering technology/technician. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.

13

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #13 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.

14

Farmingdale State College earned the #14 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $17,409 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $50,374. Set against $17,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

15
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College came in at #15 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $61,021. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Brookdale Community College landed the #16 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,651. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $35,805. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL

Santa Fe College came in at #17 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Santa Fe College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,563, with out-of-state students paying around $9,189. Students borrow a median of $17,558 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Fe College generally make around $45,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #18 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $18,500. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $56,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

University Of Puerto Rico Carolina landed the #19 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Carolina, University Of Puerto Rico Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,986 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $30,626 ten years out. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

20
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College landed the #20 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Other Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician
ADBLOCK #173
View All Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 59 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options