[Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/automobile-automotive-mechanics-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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 279 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician in the United States. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $44,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #5. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,625 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $52,673. Set against $5,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College earned the #7 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $36,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Skyline College earned the #9 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Victor Valley College landed the #10 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #11 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College placed #12 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,959. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,239. Set against $7,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #13 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $20,250. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #14 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #15 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $46,249. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #16 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,503 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $50,531. Set against $14,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College earned the #17 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #18 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $6,000. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #20 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $42,496. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #21 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. 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 automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $43,285. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #23 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #24 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,575. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Somerset Community College came in at #25 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,586 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,857. That is a strong return on a $9,586 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 279 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 279 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).
[Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/automobile-automotive-mechanics-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.
