2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in Illinois
[Mechanic & Repair Technologies](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanic & repair technologies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanic & repair technologies students.
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2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in Illinois
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
Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in mechanic & repair technologies in Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,769. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanic & repair technologies will find it at Danville Area Community College, which ranked #3. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,470. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanic & repair technologies will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,388. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #6 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,458. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #9 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,976 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $49,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,976 median debt.
Richland Community College landed the #10 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Joliet Junior College came in at #11 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,995. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Prairie State College earned the #12 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #13 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $10,250. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #14 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $24,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College placed #15 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Southeastern Illinois College came in at #16 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
Harper College earned the #17 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #18 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #19 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $8,478. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $25,842. Set against $8,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County placed #21 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College placed #22 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,340. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #24 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanic & repair technologies:
More Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
