2027 Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
[Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/agricultural-mechanics-and-equipment-machine-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools
For return on investment in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $53,448. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, landing the #2 spot this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $10,423. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $43,446. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spoon River College earned it the #3 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reedley College earned it the #4 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #5 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $56,322. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College came in at #6 for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #7 position for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #8 among the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Students borrow a median of $12,553 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $62,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology schools. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Technical Institute earned the #10 position for value in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology this year. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $12,730. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from Mitchell Technical Institute generally make around $55,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College landed the #11 spot for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates is $9,419. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
University Of Northwestern Ohio placed #12 among the best values for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Set in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,366. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of University Of Northwestern Ohio earn a median of $44,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,805 median debt.
Other Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology schools at other degree levels:
View All Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
