2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 234 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 the Southeast 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
For return on investment in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, no school beat Trident Technical College this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,423. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $28,841 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 West Georgia Technical College, which ranked #4. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $40,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,125. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #6 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College earned the #8 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. 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.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $47,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $12,068. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,892. That is a strong return on a $12,068 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #11 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College landed the #12 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #13 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Students borrow a median of $11,790 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $27,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #14 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #15 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $36,027 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #17 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,293. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #18 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #19 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Mississippi Community College placed #20 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,080, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $21,057. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $50,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Somerset Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,586. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,857. Set against $9,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College placed #22 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,312. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $31,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #23 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $12,212. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $18,263 early in their careers. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #24 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,616. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Patrick Henry Community College earned the #25 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,235. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 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:
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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 · 234 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
