2026 Best Value Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/aircraft-powerplant-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for aircraft powerplant technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for aircraft powerplant technology/technician in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $43,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reedley College earned it the #2 place for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $6,500. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Victor Valley College one of the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $49,729. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician will find it at Gavilan College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $5,939. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #6 position for value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #7 among the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Orange Coast College landed the #8 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $8,978. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College landed the #9 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College placed #10 among the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Honolulu Community College placed #11 among the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $52,460 early in their careers. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College earned the #12 position for value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,722 in student loans. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $37,713. That is a strong return on a $15,722 median debt.
Seattle Community College South Campus placed #13 among the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,208, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
West Los Angeles College landed the #14 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $65,978.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #15 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value aircraft powerplant technology/technician schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College placed #17 among the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $50,744. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
College Of Alameda came in at #18 for value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Alameda, College Of Alameda is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,258, with out-of-state students paying around $9,898. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,563.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value aircraft powerplant technology/technician schools. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College came in at #20 for value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $12,666. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $48,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #21 for value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician this year. Columbia Gorge Community College is a small public school located in the town of The Dalles. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $17,416. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Columbia Gorge Community College earn a median of $78,167 early in their careers. Set against $17,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College came in at #22 for value in aircraft powerplant technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $47,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Big Bend Community College placed #23 among the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Located in the town of Moses Lake, Big Bend Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,059, with out-of-state students paying around $5,619. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,662 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree recipients from Big Bend Community College generally make around $47,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Las Vegas landed the #24 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Las Vegas is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $16,757. Students borrow a median of $32,376 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, aircraft powerplant technology/technician degree recipients from Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Las Vegas generally make around $39,480. That is a strong return on a $32,376 median debt.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
