2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician 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.
A rank of #2 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $18,148. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $46,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community 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 town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $10,375. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $52,556 early in their careers. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $9,175. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician 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.
Mid Plains Community College placed #7 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $39,396 early in their careers. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #9 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $36,535. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College placed #10 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $44,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #11 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $12,846. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $35,545. Set against $12,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College landed the #12 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,739 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $44,528 early in their careers. Set against $11,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College came in at #13 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician 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. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #14 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $49,556. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Century College earn a median of $35,241 early in their careers. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston placed #16 among the best values for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
Bismarck State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Students borrow a median of $6,275 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $44,309. That is a strong return on a $6,275 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #18 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $47,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #19 for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $11,835. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $56,659. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,565 in student loans. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $49,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Highland earned the #21 position for value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,495 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the autobody/collision & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $20,876. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $52,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College landed the #24 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $9,885. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $38,001. That is a strong return on a $9,885 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #25 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $48,719. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician this year:
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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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
