2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Mechanic & Repair Technologies](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 109 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanic & repair technologies students.
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2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the The Plains States 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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among mechanic & repair technologies schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $49,950. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $5,500. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $42,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Crowder College one of the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $35,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College earned the #6 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #7 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #8 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $39,396 early in their careers. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College landed the #9 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $44,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williston State College landed the #11 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,400 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $42,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #13 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #14 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College landed the #15 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,312. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #16 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,896. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #17 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $36,535. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #18 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $12,846 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $35,550. That is a strong return on a $12,846 median debt.
United Tribes Technical College placed #19 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,232 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
Pratt Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,936. Students borrow a median of $10,327 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Pratt Community College generally make around $61,703. Set against $10,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College placed #21 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #22 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $13,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $50,901. Set against $13,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College landed the #23 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,739 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,528. That is a strong return on a $11,739 median debt.
Garden City Community College came in at #24 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College landed the #25 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,838 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. Set against $12,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
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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 · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
