2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/diesel-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for diesel mechanics technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in diesel mechanics technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Henry Ford Community College earned the #1 spot for value among diesel mechanics technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,525. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kankakee Community College earned it the #4 place for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Diesel 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.
Students looking for strong value in diesel mechanics technology/technician will find it at Lincoln Land Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Prairie State College placed #7 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Southeastern Illinois College placed #9 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,763 ten years after entry.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $37,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College earned the #11 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,478. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $25,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $51,093. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College placed #14 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College placed #15 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,292 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $44,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rend Lake College earned the #16 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,800. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,688. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,770. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #18 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $35,427 early in their careers. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College came in at #19 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $16,291. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College placed #20 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University landed the #21 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $12,421 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $51,346. Set against $12,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirtland Community College came in at #22 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Students borrow a median of $17,333 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $50,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,837. That is a strong return on a $9,625 median debt.
Mid State Technical College came in at #24 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Illinois Central College landed the #25 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $58,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 31 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
