2026 Best Value Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in Iowa
[Autobody/Collision & Repair Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/autobody-collision-and-repair-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 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 Iowa
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
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $36,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #2. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Autobody/collision & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $44,896 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa Central Community College earned it the #3 place for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $49,556. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in autobody/collision & repair technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $47,762. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. 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. Early-career autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates make about $52,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value autobody/collision & repair technology/technician schools. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Typical student debt for autobody/collision & repair technology/technician graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, autobody/collision & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
