2026 Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heavy-industrial-equipment-maintenance/industrial-mechanics-and-maintenance-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 69 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology students.
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2026 Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Montcalm Community College the best value for a degree in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Montcalm Community College generally make around $66,358. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Joliet Junior College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology will find it at Elgin Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $7,727. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rend Lake College earned it the #5 place for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $8,688. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $61,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Kaskaskia College placed #6 among the best values for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $7,875. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College earned the #7 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $11,582. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #8 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $55,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #9 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #11 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College placed #12 among the best values for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $13,715. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College landed the #14 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #15 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #16 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $56,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #17 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $9,166 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $46,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #18 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest State Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $9,170. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $45,123. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Miat College Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Miat College Of Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,165. Students borrow a median of $14,593 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $45,182. Set against $14,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
