2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools

[Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/airframe-mechanics-and-aircraft-maintenance-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 168 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician students.
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Finding the Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician School for You
The right airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $43,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Trident Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Pima Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,375 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $45,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Victor Valley College one of the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,995. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $49,729. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College earned the #7 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $28,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #8 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,384. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #9 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College came in at #10 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,483 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $15,553. Set against $7,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #11 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #12 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,864. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Mid South Community College came in at #13 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #14 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College placed #15 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,790. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $27,448. That is a strong return on a $11,790 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $42,493. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College earned the #18 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,700. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #19 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #20 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Renton Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $18,582. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Del Mar College landed the #22 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #23 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #24 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #25 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year:
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Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 168 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.