2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 329 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician in the United States. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $44,653 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $47,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. 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 autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $8,492. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #5. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Somerset Community College came in at #7 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $35,340. Set against $9,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College landed the #8 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #9 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College placed #10 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. 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, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $15,553. Set against $7,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College placed #11 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $7,959 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $38,239. That is a strong return on a $7,959 median debt.
Bates Technical College placed #12 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Riverside City College placed #13 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $8,767. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #15 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #16 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $37,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #17 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #18 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $42,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #20 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $17,619. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Merced College earned the #21 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #22 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
American River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Renton Technical College placed #24 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College placed #25 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year:
Other Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 329 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
