2026 Best Value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/small-engine-mechanics-and-repair-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates is $10,375. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $52,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes North Dakota State College Of Science one of the best values for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Typical student debt for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates is $11,835. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $56,659. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician will find it at Hennepin Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Typical student debt for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates is $11,565. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $49,838 early in their careers. Set against $11,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $9,624 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $52,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #6 spot for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Narrow Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools by State
More Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Rankings >
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.