2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in California
[Mechanic & Repair Technologies](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 148 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanic & repair technologies students.
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2026 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanic & repair technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for mechanic & repair technologies in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $43,285. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Reedley College came in at #6 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Fresno City College earned the #8 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #9 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $21,500. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Victor Valley College landed the #10 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #11 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #13 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #14 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,776. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #15 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $6,176. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #16 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #18 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,196. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $36,380. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Citrus College placed #19 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Shasta College landed the #20 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $12,275. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College landed the #22 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $14,122. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Riverside City College came in at #23 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Las Positas College placed #25 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanic & repair technologies:
More Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings
View All Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 148 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.
