2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
[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 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
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2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. 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. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,995. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,149. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,099. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,769. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #5 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Triton College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #8 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. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $48,308. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. 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.
Kankakee Community College came in at #10 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,289. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College came in at #11 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College placed #12 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. 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.
Prairie State College earned the #13 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Rock Valley College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #15 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College placed #16 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $7,540. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,479 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Kaskaskia College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,875. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College earned the #18 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County placed #20 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Parkland College came in at #21 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $51,093. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #22 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,458. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #23 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,478. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rend Lake College came in at #24 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,688. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year:
More Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
