2027 Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heavy-industrial-equipment-maintenance/industrial-mechanics-and-maintenance-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology students.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Kaskaskia College came in at #6 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #7 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montcalm Community College landed the #8 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,936, compared with $10,104 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Montcalm Community College generally make around $66,358. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #9 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #10 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $55,793. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #11 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $18,296. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rend Lake College earned the #12 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,800. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $61,677. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $41,252. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #14 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #16 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #17 position for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $9,166. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $46,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,166 median debt.
Mid State Technical College placed #18 among the best values for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #19 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College landed the #20 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #21 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $56,053 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial mechanics & maintenance technology schools. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $14,829. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College came in at #23 for value in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates is $12,222. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #24 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Early-career industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates make about $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest State Community College landed the #25 spot for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology value this year. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree recipients from Northwest State Community College generally make around $45,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.