2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in California
[Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/automobile-automotive-mechanics-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 82 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,285. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,306. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College earned the #6 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Saddleback College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College earned the #8 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #9 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $49,729. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Ventura College placed #11 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons landed the #12 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #14 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Hartnell College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #16 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College came in at #17 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Shasta College earned the #18 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #19 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College came in at #20 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College landed the #21 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Solano Community College earned the #22 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Redwoods placed #23 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College came in at #24 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
More Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Rankings
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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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
