2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in Iowa
[Mechanic & Repair Technologies](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanic & repair technologies students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools in Iowa
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
Our analysis ranked Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value for a degree in mechanic & repair technologies in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $36,535. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $49,556. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $44,896. 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 Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #4. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $12,000. Early-career mechanic & repair technologies graduates make about $47,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanic & repair technologies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #6 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $6,238 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $47,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,238 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $52,325. That is a strong return on a $9,624 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #8 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $13,188 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $50,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanic & repair technologies schools. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the mechanic & repair technologies program here. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #10 for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $16,126. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #11 among the best values for mechanic & repair technologies. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $20,876. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of $34,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #12 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for mechanic & repair technologies graduates is $15,995. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #13 position for value in mechanic & repair technologies this year. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanic & repair technologies degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $47,201. That is a strong return on a $10,055 median debt.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #14 spot for mechanic & repair technologies value this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,437 in student loans. Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $51,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,437 median debt.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
