2027 Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools

[Automation Engineer Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/electromechanical-engineering-technology/automation-engineer-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong automation engineer technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for automation engineer technology/technician students.
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Finding the Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician School for You
The automation engineer technology/technician program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in automation engineer technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools
Spartanburg Community College earned the #1 spot for value among automation engineer technology/technician schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $41,598. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automation engineer technology/technician will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #2. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $16,142. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automation engineer technology/technician will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #4 place for automation engineer technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automation engineer technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $17,616. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College earned the #6 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Midland College placed #7 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College came in at #8 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #9 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #10 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $77,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #12 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Leeward Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $21,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #15 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $9,980. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #16 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #17 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $11,780. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #18 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manatee Technical College came in at #19 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $9,726. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Manatee Technical College generally make around $38,735. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College earned the #20 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $48,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Randolph Community College placed #21 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,416, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District landed the #23 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #25 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for automation engineer technology/technician this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.