2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the automotive engineering technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Florida State College At Jacksonville, our #1 best value for automotive engineering technology/technician in the United States. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned it the #2 place for automotive engineering technology/technician. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $34,762. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for automotive engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $18,419. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian River State College earned it the #5 place for automotive engineering technology/technician. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,999. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $39,549 early in their careers. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College earned the #7 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #9 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $40,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College earned the #10 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $35,362. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Great Basin College earned the #11 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,923, while out-of-state students pay about $11,996. Students borrow a median of $17,128 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $67,461. That is a strong return on a $17,128 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #12 among the best values for automotive engineering technology/technician. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #13 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
Farmingdale State College earned the #14 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $17,409 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $50,374. Set against $17,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Owens Community College came in at #15 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $61,021. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #16 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,651. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $35,805. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Fe College came in at #17 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Santa Fe College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,563, with out-of-state students paying around $9,189. Students borrow a median of $17,558 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Fe College generally make around $45,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University earned the #18 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $18,500. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $56,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Puerto Rico Carolina landed the #19 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Carolina, University Of Puerto Rico Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,986 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $30,626 ten years out. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College landed the #20 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
