2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanic & repair technologies students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanic & repair technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
For return on investment in mechanic & repair technologies, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $49,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $46,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Williston State College one of the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $15,400. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $42,984. 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 Mid Plains Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $14,596 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $39,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,596 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $14,507. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hutchinson Community College placed #6 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $42,285 early in their careers. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College earned the #7 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College landed the #8 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Riverland Community College earned the #9 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #11 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,175. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College landed the #12 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,838 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. That is a strong return on a $12,838 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #13 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $44,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $51,665. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College earned the #15 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $40,041. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $10,375. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $36,535 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College landed the #18 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $9,312. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $34,099. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $12,846. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $35,550 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College landed the #20 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,739 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College placed #21 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $10,000. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,896. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $35,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
South Central College came in at #23 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College landed the #24 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #25 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $11,995. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $48,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanic & repair technologies this year:
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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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.