2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician in the Southwest Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,375 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $45,250. Set against $7,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Philips College earned it the #5 place for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College came in at #6 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #7 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,752 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $50,744. That is a strong return on a $15,752 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #8 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,500. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center earned the #9 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public university. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Gordon Cooper Technology Center earn a median of $47,876 early in their careers.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ardmore. Median earnings reach $29,012 ten years out.
Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $21,826. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $36,053. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metro Technology Centers earned the #13 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,500. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Metro Technology Centers earn a median of $40,624 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center placed #14 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $36,437. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #15 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canadian Valley Technology Center earned the #16 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of El Reno, Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Canadian Valley Technology Center earn a median of $46,777 early in their careers.
Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics is a small private not-for-profit university. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $23,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics generally make around $47,446. That is a strong return on a $23,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Mid Del Technology Center earned the #18 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Mid Del Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,238.
Southwest Technology Center ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Southwest Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Altus. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Southwest Technology Center earn a median of $39,527 early in their careers.
Universal Technical Institute Of Texas Inc earned the #20 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Houston, Universal Technical Institute Of Texas Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,680. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Universal Technical Institute Of Texas Inc generally make around $39,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Houston landed the #21 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Houston is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,757. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,623. Set against $32,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Dallas earned the #22 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Dallas is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Irving. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,757. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Dallas earn a median of $43,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt.
Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc came in at #23 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Avondale. Students borrow a median of $15,816 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc earn a median of $39,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology placed #24 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Tulsa, Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,940. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $20,367. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Spartan College Of Aeronautics And Technology generally make around $41,707. Set against $20,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
