2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for automotive engineering technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked Florida State College At Jacksonville the best value for a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, automotive engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes George C Wallace State Community College Dothan one of the best values 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $9,942. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $8,669. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $41,947. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automotive engineering technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #6 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,183.
Savannah Technical College earned the #7 position for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Early-career automotive engineering technology/technician graduates make about $37,386. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #8 for value in automotive engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $40,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
James H Faulkner State Community College landed the #9 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bay Minette. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $14,326 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of James H Faulkner State Community College earn a median of $52,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,326 median debt.
Santa Fe College landed the #10 spot for automotive engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,563, with out-of-state students paying around $9,189. Typical student debt for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates is $17,558. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Santa Fe College earn a median of $45,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,558 median debt.
Broward College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value automotive engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the automotive engineering technology/technician program here. Automotive Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
