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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

49 Colleges in the United States
$12,151 Avg Student Debt
$42,209 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 329 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools

1

Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician in the United States. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $44,653 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $47,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. 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 autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $8,492. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

5
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Students looking for strong value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #5. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

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6
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Somerset Community College came in at #7 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $35,340. Set against $9,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #8 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

9

Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #9 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Hinds Community College placed #10 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $15,553. Set against $7,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College placed #11 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $7,959 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $38,239. That is a strong return on a $7,959 median debt.

12

Bates Technical College placed #12 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.

13

Riverside City College placed #13 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $8,767. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.

15

Chattahoochee Technical College placed #15 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Washtenaw Community College came in at #16 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $37,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #17 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #18 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $42,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #20 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $17,619. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.

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21
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College earned the #21 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College placed #22 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.

23
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.

24

Renton Technical College placed #24 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Wayne Community College placed #25 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year:

26
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM
27
28
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
29
30
31
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
32
33
34
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE
35
36
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX
37
38
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA
39
40
41
42
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
43
44
45
46
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
47
48
49
50

Other Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician
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View All Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 329 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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