DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 47.06), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Automotive & Engine Repair)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Automotive & Engine Repair)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.9
2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Danville Area Community College earned it the #2 place for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $9,470. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $37,457. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Alpena Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Richland Community College landed the #6 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $9,562. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #7 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #9 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $37,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District came in at #11 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College earned the #12 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
John A Logan College placed #13 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #14 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $8,375. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $35,427. That is a strong return on a $8,375 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College landed the #15 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $9,434. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $38,331. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong autobody/collision & repair technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
