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2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

27 Colleges in the United States
$13,324 Avg Student Debt
$43,087 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/airframe-mechanics-and-aircraft-maintenance-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 168 schools to find the best return on investment for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools

1

Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician in the United States. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,625. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $52,673. That is a strong return on a $5,625 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #3. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Mt San Antonio College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. 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. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,384. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

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College Of The Sequoias ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,288. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College placed #7 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,995. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $49,729. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College came in at #8 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Hinds Community College landed the #9 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $7,483 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $15,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #10 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $36,594. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Lansing Community College landed the #11 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,700. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #12 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.

13
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #13 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

14

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #14 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #15 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.

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Renton Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $80,411. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College earned the #17 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Tarrant County College District landed the #18 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $14,503. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $50,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College earned the #19 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

20

Wayne Community College landed the #20 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Craven Community College landed the #21 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.

22

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $48,308. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

23

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.

24
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College placed #24 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

25

Seattle Community College South Campus earned the #25 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician:

26
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
27
28
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
29
West Los Angeles College crest
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA
30
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
31
32
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL
33
34
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
35
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
45
46
47
48
College Of Alameda crest
College Of Alameda
Alameda, CA
49
50
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Other Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician
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View All Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 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 · 168 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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