by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washington County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools in Maine. Washington County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Calais. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,407 ten years out.
Central Maine Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,372. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Eastern Maine Community College, which ranked #3. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $17,741. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $52,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Maine Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,276. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $40,977. Set against $11,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Southern Maine Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,869. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $41,328. Set against $13,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.