2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region

[Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/diesel-mechanics-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the diesel mechanics technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in diesel mechanics technology/technician in the Far Western Region. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in diesel mechanics technology/technician will find it at Ventura College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #3 place for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in diesel mechanics technology/technician will find it at Hartnell College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #6 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #7 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College placed #8 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Bates Technical College came in at #9 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Las Positas College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #11 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
American River College placed #12 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College landed the #13 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #14 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellingham Technical College placed #15 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,431 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $19,695. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Skagit Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College earned the #19 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $52,460. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College South Campus earned the #20 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.
Spokane Community College earned the #21 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,722. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $37,713. That is a strong return on a $15,722 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $26,635. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
University Of Alaska Southeast landed the #23 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,458 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $63,014. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Lane Community College came in at #24 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $18,373. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lane Community College generally make around $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #25 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $12,290. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in diesel mechanics technology/technician:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.