2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in South Carolina
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 Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician in South Carolina. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $18,116. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,230. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at York Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,907. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $37,626. Set against $10,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,506 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $30,639. That is a strong return on a $10,506 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Technical College earned it the #5 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,715, with out-of-state students paying around $9,016. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Technical College landed the #6 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $43,438. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College came in at #7 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $39,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #8 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. 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. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,148. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $41,598. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Technical College earned the #9 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Students borrow a median of $17,652 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,577. Set against $17,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
