2026 Best Value Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Vehicle Maintenance & Repair](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 116 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for vehicle maintenance & repair students.
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2026 Best Value Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the vehicle maintenance & repair degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in vehicle maintenance & repair will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in vehicle maintenance & repair will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $46,249. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in vehicle maintenance & repair, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Danville Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $9,470. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools. 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 vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $9,602. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Lansing Community College earned the #8 position for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College landed the #9 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the vehicle maintenance & repair program here. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the vehicle maintenance & repair program here. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $37,457. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College landed the #11 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $15,525. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
Kankakee Community College landed the #13 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $13,289. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #14 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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 vehicle maintenance & repair program here. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $48,308. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Alpena Community College placed #15 among the best values for vehicle maintenance & repair. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the vehicle maintenance & repair program here. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $45,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #17 position for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College landed the #18 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value this year. 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. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Macomb Community College earned the #19 position for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Richland Community College came in at #20 for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #21 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the vehicle maintenance & repair program here. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $39,659. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Oakton Community College earned the #22 position for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, vehicle maintenance & repair degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College landed the #23 spot for vehicle maintenance & repair value this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $15,663. Early-career vehicle maintenance & repair graduates make about $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #24 position for value in vehicle maintenance & repair this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates is $12,525. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value vehicle maintenance & repair schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for vehicle maintenance & repair this year:
Narrow Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools by State
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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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.