2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/diesel-mechanics-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong diesel mechanics technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for diesel mechanics technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for diesel mechanics technology/technician in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $49,950 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,758. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Crowder College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,887. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $35,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Mid Plains Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $39,396. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in diesel mechanics technology/technician will find it at Williston State College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #6 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,424. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,999. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #7 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,375. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,846 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College landed the #9 spot for diesel 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. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #10 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,188. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $50,901. Set against $13,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #11 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $44,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College earned the #12 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,739 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $44,528. That is a strong return on a $11,739 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #13 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,238 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $47,882 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #14 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $49,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #15 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $43,536. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #16 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,835. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $56,659 early in their careers. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $47,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #19 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $9,624 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $52,325 early in their careers. Set against $9,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Highland landed the #20 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. Students from in state pay about $4,495 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #21 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #22 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,055. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $47,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,055 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #23 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $39,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #24 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Students borrow a median of $11,326 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $52,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #25 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $41,672 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for diesel mechanics technology/technician this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
