2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools.
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2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
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 Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Macomb Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #7 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,602. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #8 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $46,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #9 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $48,308. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Richland Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,562. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #12 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $37,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College landed the #13 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $8,745 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $41,625. Set against $8,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College earned the #14 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,750. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #15 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
Kishwaukee College landed the #16 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College earned the #17 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,470. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College landed the #20 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College landed the #21 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Elgin Community College placed #22 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,727. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #23 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
John A Logan College came in at #24 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
