2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Iowa
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician students.
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2027 Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in Iowa
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
For return on investment in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, no school beat Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $36,535. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $49,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,000. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $44,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $47,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $6,238. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $47,882 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,624. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $52,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,624 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #8 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,188. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $50,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #10 spot for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician value this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates is $20,876. Early-career automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $34,586. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #11 for value in automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,055 in student loans. Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $47,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,055 median debt.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #13 among the best values for automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,326 to complete the automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $52,174. 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), 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
