2026 Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools in the Southeast Region

[Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heavy-industrial-equipment-maintenance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heavy/industrial equipment maintenance education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools to find the best return on investment for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance students.
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2026 Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools
Leading the list is Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $62,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $53,379. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance will find it at Northeast Alabama Community College, which ranked #5. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #6 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $5,812. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $8,637. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $59,872 early in their careers. Set against $8,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College placed #8 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $47,076 early in their careers. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #9 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance value this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #10 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #11 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance value this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Somerset Community College landed the #12 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance value this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,722 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $56,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #13 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $8,200 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $54,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $37,595. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #16 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College came in at #17 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College placed #18 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $13,312. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $33,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #20 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance value this year. Located in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,269 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,269 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #21 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #22 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #23 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Paducah. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $31,903. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College came in at #24 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $34,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College came in at #25 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.