by our College Data Analytics Team
[Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/automotive-engineering-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the automotive engineering technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education tops our 2026 list of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools in California. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public school located in the suburb of La Puente. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Hacienda La Puente Adult Education earn a median of $9,467 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Art Center College Of Design earned it the #2 place for automotive engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,170. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $54,124 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $59,384. That is a strong return on a $54,124 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.