2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Virginia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Virginia
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 Patrick Henry Community College, our #1 best value for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician in Virginia. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $11,235. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 early in their careers. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $30,414 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at New River Community College, which ranked #5. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Students borrow a median of $13,132 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #6 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College landed the #7 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,999. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,084 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $41,209 early in their careers. Set against $9,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $35,887. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #10 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $41,801. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
Advanced Technology Institute ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Advanced Technology Institute is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,568. Students borrow a median of $14,619 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Advanced Technology Institute generally make around $38,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Advanced Technology Institute admits about 54% of applicants.
Tidewater Tech Trades ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Tech Trades is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,337. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Tidewater Tech Trades generally make around $30,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
