2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/automobile-automotive-mechanics-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 124 schools to find the best return on investment for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
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 San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,098. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,285. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Skyline College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,306. 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.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #6 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #7 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College earned the #8 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Reedley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,154. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #11 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Ventura College placed #12 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #14 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College came in at #15 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #16 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $6,176. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #17 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $36,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Citrus College earned the #18 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Shasta College landed the #19 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College landed the #20 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Riverside City College earned the #21 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics 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.
Chabot College placed #22 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Las Positas College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Solano Community College came in at #25 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
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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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
