2027 Best Value Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/agricultural-mechanics-and-equipment-machine-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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 Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spoon River College earned it the #2 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $44,467 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,112 median debt.
Illinois Central College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Madison Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/machine Technology graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology graduates make about $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northwestern Ohio ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology schools. Set in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,805 to complete the agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanics & equipment/machine technology degree recipients from University Of Northwestern Ohio generally make around $44,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.