2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 78 schools to find the best return on investment for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,375 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $45,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,734. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $37,598. Set against $8,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $28,199 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,752 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $50,744. Set against $15,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #6 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College came in at #7 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #8 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #9 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #10 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #11 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $20,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College came in at #12 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College landed the #13 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #15 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,916. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #16 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $36,594. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Houston Community College placed #17 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #18 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,986. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College earned the #19 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #20 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,957. Set against $10,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College placed #21 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $44,322. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
San Juan College earned the #22 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center landed the #23 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $47,876.
Laredo Community College placed #24 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $31,288. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College landed the #25 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $14,766. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 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.