2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in Illinois
[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.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools.
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2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in Illinois
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 Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for mechanic & repair technologies in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,149. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for mechanic & repair technologies. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #6 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $8,976. 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.
Richland Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,562. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #9 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. 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, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College landed the #10 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. 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.
Rock Valley College came in at #11 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $8,745 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,745 median debt.
Kishwaukee College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. 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.
Danville Area Community College came in at #13 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,470. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College earned the #14 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College earned the #15 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. 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 mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $24,513. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Kaskaskia College earned the #16 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
John A Logan College came in at #17 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,479 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $40,806. Set against $10,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #18 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage earned the #19 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County placed #20 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Parkland College placed #21 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $51,093 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #22 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $7,500. Mechanic & Repair Technologies 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.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #23 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $27,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.
Sauk Valley Community College came in at #24 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dixon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Set against $12,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College landed the #25 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value 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, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $8,688. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $61,677. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 40 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 list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
