2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,769. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Danville Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,470 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #6 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College placed #7 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #8 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #9 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $48,308. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Prairie State College placed #10 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. 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 #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $48,264. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #12 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. 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.
Joliet Junior College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College placed #14 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,727. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Illinois College landed the #15 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Oakton Community College landed the #18 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,750. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College placed #19 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $25,842. Set against $8,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County earned the #20 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College landed the #21 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,328. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College came in at #22 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Kaskaskia College landed the #23 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,875. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College placed #24 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $8,745 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $41,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rend Lake College landed the #25 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year:
More Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
