2027 Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Automation Engineer Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/electromechanical-engineering-technology/automation-engineer-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools.
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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
Leading the list is Spartanburg Community College, our #1 best value for automation engineer technology/technician in the United States. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automation engineer technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Pima Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midland College earned it the #4 place for automation engineer technology/technician. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in automation engineer technology/technician will find it at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. 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 automation engineer technology/technician program here. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. 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 earned the #8 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. 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.
Sinclair Community College earned the #9 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #10 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Leeward Community College ranked #11 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, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,776 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $11,780. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College placed #14 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $48,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Randolph Community College placed #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,176. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $32,198.
Collin County Community College District ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $77,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College earned the #18 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $8,450. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $56,246. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $17,148 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $63,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,148 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #20 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $17,001. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College placed #21 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $71,199. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #22 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $7,457. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $47,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University placed #23 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,117 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $82,305. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #24 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $52,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College landed the #25 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,196 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $58,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s automation engineer technology/technician value ranking:
Other Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
