2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Mechanic & Repair Technologies](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanic & repair technologies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,862. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanic & repair technologies will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,769. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College placed #6 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #7 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,249. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,388. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,388 median debt.
Triton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #10 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,976 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $48,978 early in their careers. Set against $8,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $8,745. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College placed #12 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Oakton Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #14 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $37,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College earned the #15 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #16 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College landed the #17 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $10,328. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #18 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College earned the #19 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #20 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,727. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $24,513. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #21 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Lansing Community College placed #22 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $16,700. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College came in at #23 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $37,342. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #25 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanic & repair technologies:
Narrow Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools by State
More Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings
View All Mechanic & Repair Technologies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 108 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.