2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mechanic & Repair Technologies](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanic & repair technologies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 165 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanic & repair technologies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanic & repair technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $18,876. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $14,636. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,249. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Montcalm Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #5 spot this year. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,936, compared with $10,104 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $66,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $8,099. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Danville Area Community College landed the #7 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #8 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $7,388 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Triton College came in at #10 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College earned the #11 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #12 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #13 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,458. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $27,158. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #14 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $37,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #15 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,976 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $49,016. That is a strong return on a $8,976 median debt.
Joliet Junior College earned the #16 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College placed #18 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #19 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $24,513 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #21 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $39,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College earned the #22 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College landed the #23 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,750. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Harper College earned the #24 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #25 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanic & repair technologies:
Narrow Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools by State
More Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings
View All Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
