by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools.
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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.
For return on investment in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, no school beat Eastern Shore Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Patrick Henry Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $33,358. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #3 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,999. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $46,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,494. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #7 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College placed #8 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $9,084 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $41,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #9 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, 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. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $41,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
Advanced Technology Institute ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Advanced Technology Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,568. Students borrow a median of $14,619 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Advanced Technology Institute earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,619 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Tidewater Tech Trades earned the #11 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Tech Trades is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,337. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Tidewater Tech Trades earn a median of $30,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.