2027 Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heavy-industrial-equipment-maintenance/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance students.
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2027 Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools
Leading the list is Macomb Community College, our #1 best value for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance 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. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #2 place for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elgin Community College earned it the #4 place for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #5 place for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #6 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #7 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Montcalm Community College earned the #8 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $66,358. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #9 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $33,326. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Ferris State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $60,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #11 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $11,000. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $55,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #12 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Rend Lake College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, while out-of-state students pay about $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $61,677 early in their careers. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #14 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #16 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #17 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #18 among the best values for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $13,319. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #19 position for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Students borrow a median of $9,166 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance 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 came in at #20 for value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #21 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance value this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $16,595. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $46,398. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt.
Heartland Community College landed the #22 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,110. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $56,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value heavy/industrial equipment maintenance schools. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates is $14,829. Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,829 median debt.
Illinois Central College landed the #25 spot for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance value this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program here. Early-career heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates make about $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance:
Narrow Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools by State
More Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
