2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in North Carolina
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
For return on investment in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $44,653 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,125. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $25,905. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,266. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College placed #6 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Haywood Community College placed #7 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
Wayne Community College earned the #8 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Craven Community College landed the #9 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College landed the #10 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Students borrow a median of $16,969 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #11 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College came in at #12 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,537. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #13 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #14 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College placed #15 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,947. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College landed the #16 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College came in at #17 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $12,388. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earned the #19 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,528, while out-of-state students pay about $6,528. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,750. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $44,734. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #20 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Students borrow a median of $9,378 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $35,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,378 median debt.
Edgecombe Community College placed #21 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $8,784 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $22,153 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,153 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #22 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $17,900. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,022. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
Randolph Community College earned the #24 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Davidson County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,980, while out-of-state students pay about $6,588. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $39,001 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
