2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in California
[Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/airframe-mechanics-and-aircraft-maintenance-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $43,285. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Reedley College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #4 place for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Victor Valley College earned it the #5 place for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. 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. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College placed #6 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,939. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance 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.
Solano Community College came in at #7 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. 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 earned the #8 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College placed #9 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #10 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Los Angeles College placed #11 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. West Los Angeles College is a large public school located in the suburb of Culver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $65,978.
Chaffey College came in at #12 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #13 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance 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. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,332. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #14 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Antelope Valley College earned the #15 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
College Of Alameda came in at #16 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Alameda, College Of Alameda is a large public university. 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.
East Los Angeles College landed the #17 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Cuesta College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $64,492. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center placed #19 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students borrow a median of $20,094 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center earn a median of $59,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universal Technical Institute Southern California ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Universal Technical Institute Southern California is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $15,816 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Universal Technical Institute Southern California generally make around $39,391. That is a strong return on a $15,816 median debt.
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Aviation Institute Of Maintenance is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fremont. In-state tuition and fees average $16,757. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $32,500. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Aviation Institute Of Maintenance earn a median of $47,109 early in their careers.
Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology Inglewood earned the #22 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Inglewood, Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology Inglewood is a small private for-profit institution. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $21,809 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology Inglewood earn a median of $39,350 early in their careers. Set against $21,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology Riverside came in at #23 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Riverside, Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology Riverside is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $20,009 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology Riverside generally make around $40,206. Set against $20,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
