2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/automobile-automotive-mechanics-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,769. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #7 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,602. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College placed #8 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Triton College came in at #9 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $37,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $27,158 early in their careers. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College earned the #13 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,000. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #15 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $48,308. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #16 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College placed #17 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #18 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College landed the #19 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,562. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #20 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Prairie State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #23 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College came in at #24 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #25 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value ranking:
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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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
