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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois

1 Colleges in the United States
$10,563 Avg Student Debt
$38,570 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for diesel mechanics technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois

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

1

Lewis And Clark Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,602. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.

2

Kankakee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in diesel mechanics technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #3 place for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prairie State College earned it the #4 place for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.

5

Richland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in diesel mechanics technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,562. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Joliet Junior College placed #6 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Southeastern Illinois College placed #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College placed #8 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,478 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $25,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Kishwaukee College came in at #9 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.

10
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College placed #10 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Rend Lake College placed #11 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College landed the #12 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $51,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College placed #13 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.

14
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College placed #14 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

15

Universal Technical Institute Of Illinois Inc placed #15 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Universal Technical Institute Of Illinois Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,243. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Universal Technical Institute Of Illinois Inc earn a median of $41,147 early in their careers. Set against $14,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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