2026 Best Value Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 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 Great Lakes 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
For return on investment in aircraft powerplant technology/technician, no school beat Lansing Community College this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #2 place for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $48,308. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value aircraft powerplant technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Southwestern Illinois College one of the best values for aircraft powerplant technology/technician. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $10,388. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aircraft powerplant technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College landed the #6 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,745 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Early-career aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates make about $41,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #7 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Typical student debt for aircraft powerplant technology/technician graduates is $8,375. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $35,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,375 median debt.
Vincennes University landed the #8 spot for aircraft powerplant technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $12,421 to complete the aircraft powerplant technology/technician program here. Aircraft Powerplant Technology/technician graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $51,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,421 median debt.
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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 · 11 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.