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2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

108 Colleges in the United States
$12,690 Avg Student Debt
$42,374 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/automobile-automotive-mechanics-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 795 schools to find the best return on investment for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.

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2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools

1

Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools in the United States. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $44,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,098. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,285. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

3

Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $5,625 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $52,673 early in their careers. Set against $5,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics 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. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics 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
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.

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Clover Park Technical College placed #6 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $47,839. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.

8

Henry Ford Community College placed #8 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.

10
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $5,707. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #12 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

South Texas College placed #13 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,307. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

14

College Of The Sequoias came in at #14 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. 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. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.

15

Somerset Community College earned the #15 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,586 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $30,857 early in their careers. Set against $9,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College placed #16 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,995. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $49,729. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Suffolk County Community College came in at #17 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,000. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,636. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,249. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College placed #19 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

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Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College came in at #20 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $20,250. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #21 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College earned the #22 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #23 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $36,380. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College landed the #24 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Hinds Community College landed the #25 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,483. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $15,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician:

26
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
27
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
28
29
30
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
31
32
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
33
34
35
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
36
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
37
38
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
39
40
41
42
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX
43
44
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
45
46
47
48
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
49
50
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

Other Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
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View All Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Rankings >

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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 · 795 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 108 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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