2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 122 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the automation engineer technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Automation Engineer Technology/Technician Schools
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among automation engineer technology/technician schools in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $8,492. 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.
Pima 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 city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in automation engineer technology/technician will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $12,525. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #7 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $9,250. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $65,388 early in their careers. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #9 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. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $37,252. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #10 spot for automation engineer technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University placed #12 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #13 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,456 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $46,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #14 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Vincennes University came in at #15 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $9,117. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $82,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $59,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College ranked #17 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $77,701. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College placed #18 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $8,450. Early-career automation engineer technology/technician graduates make about $56,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $58,623. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College placed #21 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. 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 automation engineer technology/technician graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $71,199. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value automation engineer technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $53,518. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Ridgewater College earned the #23 position for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automation engineer technology/technician degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $58,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #24 among the best values for automation engineer technology/technician. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the automation engineer technology/technician program here. Automation Engineer Technology/technician graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #25 for value in automation engineer technology/technician this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $41,696. That is a strong return on a $7,457 median debt.
Rest of the Top 33 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), 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 · 122 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
