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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region

3 Colleges in the United States
$20,234 Avg Student Debt
$47,274 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Badge [Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for automotive engineering technology/technician students.

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2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region

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
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Our analysis ranked Crowder College the best value for a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $33,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #2 place for automotive engineering technology/technician. 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. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.

3

Minnesota State University Mankato is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $64,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for automotive engineering technology/technician. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5
Mcpherson College crest
Mcpherson College
McPherson, KS

Mcpherson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. In-state tuition and fees average $37,146. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $42,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mcpherson College admits about 77% of applicants.

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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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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