2026 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/airframe-mechanics-and-aircraft-maintenance-technology-technician/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 168 schools to find the best return on investment for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician students.
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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
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician in the United States. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,625. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $52,673. That is a strong return on a $5,625 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #3. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. 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. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. 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. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,288. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College placed #7 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. 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.
Reedley College came in at #8 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. 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.
Hinds Community College landed the #9 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $7,483 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $15,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #10 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. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $36,594. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College landed the #11 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #12 for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Orange Coast College landed the #13 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,978. 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 Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #14 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Renton Technical College ranked #16 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, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $80,411. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College earned the #17 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District landed the #18 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $14,503. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $50,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College earned the #19 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Wayne Community College landed the #20 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College landed the #21 spot for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $48,308. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Midland College placed #24 among the best values for airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Seattle Community College South Campus earned the #25 position for value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in airframe mechanics & aircraft maintenance technology/technician:
Other Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings >
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.
