2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 88 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 the The Plains States Region
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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $49,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $46,758. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #4 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $35,469. 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 Western Nebraska Community College, which ranked #5. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,175. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College came in at #7 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,596. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $39,396. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #8 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $52,556. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #9 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Williston State College earned the #10 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College placed #11 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,424. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Cowley County Community College earned the #12 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,312. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $34,099. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #13 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $12,846 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $35,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #14 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $44,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #15 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,535. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pratt Community College came in at #16 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,936. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,327. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $61,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,327 median debt.
United Tribes Technical College landed the #17 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
Riverland Community College landed the #18 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College came in at #19 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,739 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $44,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College placed #20 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,838 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $45,342 early in their careers. Set against $12,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #21 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,188. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $50,901. Set against $13,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,238 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $47,882. Set against $6,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #23 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $49,556. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #24 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College landed the #25 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,328. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Set against $15,328 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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
